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JOURNAL 


OP  THE 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  HOAG, 


AN  EMINENT  MINISTER  OF  THE  GOSPEL, 


SOCIETY  OF  FRIENDS. 


"Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  th«  Lord,  from  henceforth,  yea, 
saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors,  and  th«ir  worlcs  do 
follow  them."— Rev.  xiv:  18. 


AUBURN : 

KNAPP   &   PECK,   PRINTERS,   AUBURN   JOURNAL   OFnCE, 

No.  118  Genesee-st.,  Colonnade  Block,  Auburn. 
1861. 


25a  7  7'/ 5 
H  ^A5 


*»»      •*€«•«•»•  »»**••*•'•' 


At  a  Meetkg  for  Sufferings,  of  New  York  Yearly  Meeting  of 

Friends,  held  at  Poplar  Ridge,  Cayuga  County,  New  York, 

6th  month,  29th,  1861 : 

The  examination  of  the  manuscript  Journal  of  our  late  be- 
loved Friend,  Joseph  Hoag,  having  occupied  this  meeting 
during  several  previous  sittings,  was  concluded  at  this  time ; 
and  believing  that  the  valuable  contents  thereof,  are  worthy 
to  be  preserved  and  read  by  the  community  at  large,  it  was 
concluded  to  publish  the  same. 

Signed  by  direction  of  the  meeting, 

Aaron  Mekeel,  Clerk. 


Mi50526 


PREFACE. 


BELiEViNa  it  to  be  the  will  of  God,  that  the  righteous 
should  be  held  in  remembrance,  and  having  ample  evidence, 
both  in  Scripture  testimony  and  the  accounts  left  on  record, 
of  the  great  benefit  such  remembrances  have  been  to  indi- 
viduals and  to  the  Church  of  Christ  at  large  ;  it  is  thought 
best  that  the  following  accounts  left  by  our  worthy  deceased 
Friend,  Joseph  Hoacj,  to  his  children,  should  be  added  to 
the  "  cloud  of  witnesses "  that  have  gone  before,  all  testi- 
fying to  the  Mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  through '  the 
jnanifestation  of  His  grace,  to  save  the  people  from  their 
sins.  There  are  many  still  living,  up  and  down  in  this 
land,  (for  he  was  very  generally  known),  who  c^n  testify 
to  his  zeal  in  the  Lord,  and  his  labors  of  love,  in  persuad- 
ing his  fellow-creatiires  to  *'  come,  taste  and  see,  that  the 
JiOrd  is  good." 

He  was  as  a  sharp  threshing-instrument  in  the  Lord's 
hand,  in. rebuking  sin,  and  all  manner  of  iniquity;  as  wi|l 
appear  by  the  following  pages ;  bi^t  to  the  humble,  contrite 
ones,  his  words  often  fell  as  the  dew  of  Jlermon  on  the 
tender  plants,  which  greatly  endeared  him  to  the  upright 
in  heart.      Jf e  was  a  man  of  strong  mental  powers  —  by 


tl  PREFACE. 

which,  through  the  qualifying  influence  of  God^s  grace 
abundantly  bestowed,  he  was  prepared  as  a  judge,  and 
Counsellor  in  Israel,  rightly  to  divide  th£  Word,  laying 
"judgment  to  the  line,  and  righteousness  to  the  plummet;" 
being  quick  of  discernment  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  a 
zealous  disturber  of  every  false  rest  Having  in  early  life  been 
convinced  of  the  rectitude  of  the  principles  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  (in  which  he  was  educated),  he  became  warmly  attach- 
ed thereto,  and  was  never  known  to  swerve  therefrom,  through 
the  changing  vicissitudes  accompanying  a  life  protracted  to  old 
age;  in  which  he  suflfered  "perils  by  sea,  perils  by  land, 
and  perils  amongst  false  brethren ; "  for,  as  the  Israelites  of 
old,  were  troubled  with  their  Korahs,  Dathans,  and  Abirams, 
so  the  Church  in  his  day,  was  afflicted  at  different  pe- 
riods, with  false  teachers,  who  have  brought  in  heresies,  and 
taught  doctrines,  at  variance  with  those  upon  which  the 
Society  was  first  established.  These  innovations  grieved  his 
spirit ;  and  as  a  faithful  watchman  on  the  walls  of  Zion,  he 
was  concerned  to  sound  the  alarm,  and  testify  against  their 
unsoundness ;  notwithstanding  which,  many  followed  their 
pernicious  ways,  which  finally  resulted  in  the  Hicksite  seces- 
sion, and  many  trials  and  difficulties  attetiding  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  unsound  views  of  Joseph  John  Gumey.  As  the 
followers  of  each  were  numerous,  and  he  drawing  towards 
the  close  of  life,  he  became  greatly  concerned  for  the 
preservation  of  his  writings,  lest  they  might  fall  into  the 
hands  of  those  who  would  utterly  suppress,  or  pervert  them ; 
knowing  that  they  contained  sentiments  at  variance  with  the 
principles  of  both  of  those  leaders.  He,  therefore,  took 
measures  to  guard  against  these  evils,  by  adopting  the  fol- 
lowing course,  and  giving  forth  the  subjoined  testimony : 


PREFACE.  VU 

MoNKTON,  1st  month,  5th,  1846. 

Having,  from  my  younger  life,  felt  best  to  keep  by  writing, 
some  account  of  the  religious  services  and  exercises,  that  from 
time  to  time  I  have  passed  through ;  but  of  latter  times  I  be- 
came uneasy  relative  to  some  circumstances  which  I  had 
omitted  to  commit  to  writing ;  also,  about  the  place  where  my 
writings  were,  and  no  way  seemed  to  open  to  have  it  otherwise, 
until  my  wife  proposed  that  I  should  go  and  get  Narcissa 
Battey  to  write  for  me.  This  looked  pleasant  to  me.  Ac- 
cordingly, the  past  summer,  I  took  my  writings  and  carried 
them  to  Ezra  Battey's,  and  feeling  easy  about  their  location,  I 
have  committed  them  to  the  care  of  Ezra  and  Hannah  H.  Bat- 
tey, with  a  request  that  they  shall  not  deliver  them  to  any 
other  person,  save  myself;  and  if  they  are  permitted  to  remain 
in  the  hands  of  the  said  Ezra  and  Hannah,  or  either  of  them 
at  the  time  of  my  decease,  I  hope,  and  do  now  request  them 
to  take  especial  care  of  them,  and  not  suffer  them  to  pass  into 
the  hands  of  any  who  would  destroy  them,  or  cause  them  to 
pass  into  oblivion  ;  as  I  believe  some  parts  of  them  may  prove 
of  importance  in  a  future  time,  and  feeling  assured  that  some 
parts  of  my  writings  are  in  opposition  to  the  doctrines  propo- 
gated  by  Elias  Hicks,  and  many  of  those  written  by  Joseph 
John  Gumey,  I  am  unwilling  to  have  them  fall  into  the  hands 
of  any  persons  who  have,  or  may  support  either  of  the  above 
named  persons,  or  advocate  either  of  their  peculiar  tenets  ;  and 
feeling  confidence  in  the  above  named  Ezra  and  Hannah,  I 
therefore  place,  and  have  placed  them  with  them  for  the  pur- 
poses above  named  :  And  further  —  if  by  reason  of  death  or 
otherwise,  it  shall  appear  necessary  that  they  should  be  placed 
with  some  other  person,  I  request,  that  those  who  do  witness 


Viil  PREFACE. 

this  procedure,  or  the  survivors  or  survivor  of  them,  should 
place  them  in  the  hands  of  some  sound,  substantial  Friend  or 
Friends,  agreeably  to  the  foregoing  request. 

Joseph  Hoag. 

We  being  present,  know  the  signer  of  the  foregoing  to  do  it 
of  his  own  free  act,  and  requested  us  to  witness  the  same. 
Amos  Battey,  Ruth  Battey, 

Moses  Huntington,     Elizabeth  Huntington, 
Joshua  F.  Header,      Joanna  Worth. 

Although  our  deceased  Friend  was  not  highly  learned  in  the 
literature  of  the  age,  and  some  of  the  expressions  contained  in 
the  following  journal  may  not  suit  the  nice  and  critical  taste  of 
some  readers,  and  may  contain,  in  their  view,  some  incidents  of 
a  trivial  character ;  yet,  as  we  believe  he  was  taught  in  the 
school  of  Christ,  the  compilers  of  this  work  thought  it  would 
be  more  interesting  to  the  general  reader,  that  no  material 
change  should  be  made  in  the  language,  and  that  it  should  be 
presented  to  the  public,  very  nearly  in  its  original  form. 

We  have  endeavered  in  no  instance,  by  change  of  language, 
to  alter  the  meaning  of  the  Author. 

The  above  statements  relative  to  the  disposition  of  Joseph 
Hoag's  writings,  are  corroborated  by  the  testimony  of  Starks- 
boro  Monthly  Meeting. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory  remarks — Joseph  Hoag's  birtli  and  parentage,  with  some 
account  of  his  ancestors — Their  convincement  of  the  principles  of 
Friends — His  religious  exercises  in  early  life — Night  vision — Impres- 
sions relative  to  a  call  to  the  Ministry — His  father  taken  prisoner  in 
the  time  of  the  revolutionary  war — Trials  and  conflicts  connected  there- 
with— Severe  sufferings  on  account  of  imbibing  infidel  prmciples — Re- 
markable testimonies  of  Abel  Thomas — Impressions  relative  to  water- 
baptism— His  exercises  connected  with  his  first  appearing  in  the  Min- 
istry— Testimony  of  David  Sands  in  confirmation  of  his  call  to  the  Min- 
istry,.. , 9-4*7 

CHAPTER  II. 

His  marriage  and  settlement  in  business — Meets  with  losses — His  house 
is  burnt — Sufferings  occasioned  by  an  omission  of  duty — Remarks  rel- 
ative to  a  prospect  of  settling  in  Little  Nine  Partners — The  opening  of 
a  prospect  to  go  to  a  new  country — Removes,  and  settles  in  Charlotte, 
Vermont — Exercises  relative  to  the  settlement  of  meetings — He  visits 
some  of  the  meetings  within  hjs  own  Quarterly  Meeting — He  visits  his 
native  place  and  parts  adjacent — Visits  the  southern  and  eastern  parts 
of  his  own  Yearly  Meeting — 'Near  the  close  of  the  visit  he  has  a  mirac- 
ulous escape, 48-75  " 

CHAPTER  III. 

Some  account  of  tlie  settlement  of  meetings  for  discipline — A  prospect  of 
paying  a  re^ligious  visit  to  New  England,  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  adjoin- 
ing British  Provinces,  opens  with  him—  Sets  out  on  this  journey  in  the 


CONTENTS. 

year  1801 — Attends  New  England  Yearly  meeting — Arrives  at  Nova 
Scotia  in  the  Ith  month  following — ^Has  a  meetimg  in  a  barn,  to  which 
a  tribe  of  Indians  come — Sets  sail  for  St.  John's — Called  upon  to  give 
an  opinion  of  women's  preaching — Falls  in  with  the  Swedenborgians — 
He  meets  with  a  close  temptation — Arrives  at  Halifax, 16-103 


CHAPTER  IV. 

He  has  large,  favored  meetings  at  Halifax,  and  in  the  neighborhood — Has 
a  large  meeting  at  a  Baptist  meeting-house,  where  several  priests  at- 
tend— His  companion  feeling  at  liberty  to  return  home,  it  was  a  trial 
to  part  with  him — Has  a  meeting  at  a  private  house  at  Digby,  where 
he  was  led  to  address  the  mother  of  a  family  who  mourned  over  an  in- 
temperate husband — Foretells  the  death  of  the  husband,  which  takes 
place  very  soon — Dispute  between  the  New  Lights  and  Methodists, 
each  claiming  a  likeness  to  the  Quakers — He  visits  some  families  of 
Friends  who  had  resided  there  for  many  years — ^Was  confined  at  Sam- 
uel Moore's  for  nearly  three  months,  with  sickness,  during  which  time 
he  was  sorely  tempted ;  but,  through  Holy  Help,  was  preserved — Af- 
ter his  recovery,  he  returns  to  the  States,  and  visits  Martha's  Yineyard, 
Nantucket,  &c — Arrives  at  Yarmouth  in  5th  month,  1802 — ^Attends 
New  England  Yearly  Meeting — In  the  1th  month  he  sets  out  for  Port- 
land, with  Peter  Morrell  for  companion — Arrives  at  home  early  in  the 
9th  month — Record  of  some  occurrences  which  took  place  during  the 
foregoing  journey, 104-138 


CHAPTER  Y. 

Some  account  of  difficulties  within  his  own  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing— In  1804  visits  the  eastern  part  of  his  own  Quarterly  Meeting — In 
1806  visits  the  south  and  east  part  of  his  own  Yearly  Meeting — In 
1801  performs  a  religious  visit  to  Friends  of  Upper  Canada  and  Farm- 
ington  Quarterly  Meeting — Late  in  the  Fall,  goes  to  Queensbury — 
Thence  southwesterly,  attending  meetings  until  he  got  into  Pennsyl- 
vania— Thence  to  Brothertown — At  Unadilla  was  attacked  by  a  Pres- 
byterian deacon — At  a  meeting  afterwards,  was  opposed  by  a  priest — 
Yisits  meetings  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson  river — Thence  to  New 
York  and  attends  the  Yearly  Meeting— Thence  to  West  Chester  and 
into  Connecticut — Thence  homeward,  where  he  arrived  after  an  ab- 
sence of  about  seven  months — Yisits  the  southern  part  of  his  own 
Yearly  Meeting — "Wliile  on  Long  Island,  was  attacked  by  a  Priest  on 
the  subject  of  election  and  reprobation — After  an  absence  of  about  five 
months,  returns  home, 139-175 


CONTENTS.  XI 


CHAPTER   VL 


In  1812,  he  sets  out  on  a  religious  visit  to  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting, 
and  to  the  settlements  of  Friends  in  the  Southern  States — He  attends 
meetings  in  Philadelphia — Visits  the  Poor-house  and  State-prison  at 
Baltimore^-Sad  effects  of  Slavery  on  the  Society  of  Friends — He  is  sin- 
gularly led  in  testimony  at  Goose  Creek — Has  a  remarkable  meeting  at 
Washington — Attends  Springfield  Monthly  Meeting,  where  he  had  a 
close  testimony  in  the  women's  meeting — He  is  taken  sick  at  Mount 
Pleasant,  and  apparently  brought  near  the  grave — Meets  with,  and  has 
conversation  with  a  General  of  the  army  at  Knoxville— Afterwards  has 
a  satisfactory  meeting  at  the  same  place  with  the  soldiers  and  inhabi- 
tants— Has  a  meeting  at  Canada  Creek,  where  he  clears  up  the  false 
charges  brought  against  him  by  the  Methodists — Attends  North  Caro- 
lina Yearly  Meeting,  after  which  he  returns  home — Account  of  a 
close  testimony  which  he  deUvered  at  the  above  named  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, .. , 1*76-209 

CHAPTER  YII. 

In  the  year  1816,  he  sets  out  on  a  reUgious  visit  to  Friends  within  the 
compass  of  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  and  North  Carolina  Yearly  Meet- 
ings— Attends  Warrington  Quarterly  Meeting,  which  was  a  favored 
time — Visits  the  family  of  our  late  Friend  Abel  Thomas — at  Dea^- 
Creek  he  was  led  to  speak  on  the  subject  of  Nebuchadnezzar's  image — 
He  has  close  labors  in  Redstone  and  vicinity — He  describes  the  evil 
effects  of  Slavery  on  the  minds  of  the  people — Reviews  his  labors  in 
those  parts — Attends  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting — Attends  Bucking- 
ham Quarterly  Meeting — At  Darby  is  led  in  a  very  close  and  pointed 
manner  to  show  how  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Gospel  is  formed  with 
and  amongst  brethren — Visits  Westown  School — Attends  meetings  in 
Baltimore — Attends  a  meeting  appointed  by  Isaac  Hammer  of  Tenesee 
—Mournful  description  of  the  sufferings  of  the  Slavee,  and  the  effects 
of  Slavery  on  the  people — After  attending  a  number  of  appointed  meet- 
ings, he  and  his  companions  were  taken  unwell  in  a  very  sickly  part  of 
the  country;  but  soon  felt  at  liberty  to  turn  for  the  hill-country — He 
journeys  to  Alexandria,  Washington,  and  Baltimore ;  at  the  latter  place 
he  was  led  solemly  to  warn  Friends  against  speculative  enquiries — His 
exercises,  and  labors  with  Friends  for  being  engaged  in  the  distillery 
business — Attends  many  meetings  in  New  Jersey;  after  which  he 
feels  at  liberty  to  return  home, 210-236 


Xll  C  O  N  1*  E  N  T  S. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


He  remains  at  and  about  home  for  several  years,  during  which  time  he 
had  many  deep  trials — After  which  he  feels  his  mind  drawn  in  Gospel 
love,  to  visit  Friends  and  others  in  the  southern  and  western  parts  of 
his  own  Yearly  Meeting— He  proceeds  to  Queensbury,  &c.,  and  visits  all 
the  meetings  about  Saratoga— Has  a  remarkable  meeting  in  Duanes- 
burg  Quarter — He  is  followed  by,  and  has  some  conversation  with 
some  Ranters — Has  a  remarkable  meeting  in  the  neighborhood  of  Stan- 
ton-hill — Proceeds  to  Cornwall  Quarter — He  assists  in  settling  a  diflSicul- 
ty  amongst  Friends,  of  long  standing,  at  Rosendale — Singular  testuno- 
ny  at  a  meeting  in  Nine  Partners  Quarter — Singular  circumstance  with 
regard  to  a  borrowed  horse — He  attends  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  soon 
returns  home,  where  he  arrived  in  the  6th  month  following,  with  his 
mind  richly  filled  with  peace, 23'?-248 

CHAPTER   IX. 

On  the  6th  of  12th  month  1823,  he  leaves  home,  accompanied  by  Samuel 
Knowls,  to  perform  a  rehgious  visit  in  the  Northern  and  Western  parts 
of  his  own  Yearly  Meeting,  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  some  parts  of  North 
Carolina,  Yearly  Meetmgs — Passed  on,  taking  meetings  in  the  way  till 
ho  reached  Canada — Near  Adolphus  town  he  finds  the  Society  in  a 
sad  state  on  account  of  spiritual  pride — Attends  the  half-year's  meet- 
ing— He  proceeds  to  Norwich,  and  attends  their  Monthly  Meeting — 
After  returning  to  the  "States,  he  visits  meetings  within  the  limits  of 
Parmington  Quarter  ;  then  sets  forward  for  Ohio,  and  reached  Salem 
the  2nd  of  6th  month,  1824 — At  Concord  he  falls  in  with  a  preacher 
from  Long  Island,  and  meets  with  him  at  other  places — Has  conversa- 
tion with  him  in  regard  to  his  false  doctrines — Meets  with  him  again 
at  Ohio  Yearly  Meeting,  where  he  is  deeply  tried  with  his  remarks  in 
relation  to  reading  the  Scriptures — After  the  Yearly  Meeting,  he  re- 
turns to  Redstone  Quarter,  and  after  visiting  meetings  thereabouts,  he 
sets  forward  for  Virguiia,  where  he  arrived  in  the  10th  month,  and 
soon  proceeded  to  New  Garden  in  North  Carohna — He  visits  several 
meetings,  and  returns  to  New  Garden,  where,  after  delivering  a  rehev- 
ing  testimony,he  proceeds  to  Tennessee — He  attends  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, for  Tennessee,  wherein  he  was  comforted — After  attending  several 
other  meetings,  he  left  for  Indiana — Proceeds  in  his  visit  in  Indiana — 
Remarks  on  the  appointment  of  Elders — Goes  to  Illinois  in  search  of 
liis  wife's  sister — Some  account  of  her  husband  &c. — Returns  to  Indi- 
ana— At  Sugar  Creek,  he  gives  Friends  advice  with  regard  to  a  person 
who  had  been  disowned — lie  has  a  large,  favored  meeting  at  Indian- 


CONTENTS.  XIU 

apolis — Returns  to  Ohio,  and  after  being  relieved  of  a  burden  that  had 
long  rested  on  his  mind,  he  sets  forward  for  home, .249-288 

CHAPTER  X. 

Attends  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  1826 — Account  of  some  conversation  with 
EHas  Hicks  in  1819 — Some  account  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  1827 — 
Yearly  Meeting  in  1828,  with  some  particulars  of  the  Hicksite  separa- 
tion in  that  meeting ;  also,  the  separation  in  his  own,  and  Easton  Quar- 
terly Meetings,  and  his  exercises  and  labors  therein, 289-308 

• 

CHAPTER    XI. 

In  the  year  1829,  he  proceeds  on  a  visit  to  several  of  the  Southern  Quar- 
ters of  his  own  Yearly  Meeting — At  a  meeting  at  North  Granville,  he 
rephes  to  a  question  put  to  him  by  an  infidel — He  receives  an  injury 
by  being  thrown  from  a  carriage — After  completing  his  visit,  he  pro- 
ceeds home, 309-334 

CHAPTER  XII. 

In  the  year  1831,  he  attends  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  New  England — After 
it,  visits  Sandwich  Quarterly  Meeting  with  most  of  the  meetings  con- 
stituting it,  in  several  of  which  h©  had  deeply  exercising  labor — He  at- 
tends fore  and  afternoon  meetings  at  Providence;  an  exercising  time 
— He  attends  Salem  Quarterly  Meeting,  which  was  painfully  exerci- 
sing— Attends  Dover  and  Falmouth  Quarterly  Meetings — He  returns 
to  Providence  in  2nd  month  1832 — After  attending  some  meetings  in 
Smithfield  Quarter,  he  proceeds  to  Wolfsboro  on  his  return  home — Ex- 
tracts from  a  letter  to  his  wife  and  children,  335-353 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

In  the  year  1832,  he  sets  out  to  perform  a  religious  visit  to  Friends  in 
Upper  Canada,  and  some  parts  of  Farmington  Quarterly  Meeting ;  also 
to  attend  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia,  &c. — He  attends  the  half- 
year's  meeting  in  C.  "W. — Proceeds  to  Lockport,  Farmington  &c.  ; 
thence  towards  Philadelphia,  and  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting — After 
it  visits  meetings  in  New  Jersey — ^Attends  New  York  Yearly  Meeting, 
and  returns  home, 354-365 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

Testimony  at  Starksboro  Monthly  meeting  in  ISZl — Job  S.  Collins'  ac- 
count of  his  visit  in  Ohio  and  Indiana  Yearly  Meetings — Account  of 
returning  minutes — He  attends  New  York  Yearly  Meeting  in  1842 — 
Obtains  minutes  to  pay  a  religious  visit  to  Friends  within  the  limits  of 
Indiana  Yearly  Meeting ;  after  performing  which,  he  returns  to  Ohio — 
Willis  &  Ann  Smith's  account  of  his  sickness,  &c. — ^Account  of  returning 
minutes — He  attends  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  New  York  in  1845 — Min- 
utes of  Ferrisburg  Monthly  Meeting — Some  account  of  a  discourse 
with  a  Friend  at  Nev  York  in  1846 — His  Vision  in  the  year  1803 — 
Testimony  ®f  Starksboro  Monthly  Meeting  concerning  him,  and  giving 
some  account  of  his  last  sickness  and  death, 366 — 389 


JOURNAL  OF  JOSEPH  HOAG. 


CHAPTER  I. 

I  HAVE  believed  it  right  to  leave  to  you,  my  cliildren,  the  ac- 
count of  some  occurrences  I  have  passed  through  in  life,  for  your 
improvement ;  and  such  counsel  and  remarks,  as  shall  open  on 
my  mind  in  the  clearness  of  gospel  love  and  parental  affection ; 
and  also  a  short  account  of  our  forefathers  from  the  first  family ; 
for  when  I  was  in  New  England,  I  became  acquainted  with  one 
branch  of  the  family  that  informed  me  they  had  been  in  the 
practice  of  keeping  the  spread  of  the  name ;  and  that  their 
branch  of  fore-parents,  had  preserved  some  remarkable  occur- 
rences that  took  place  in  the  order  of  Providence,  in  the  family. 
A  woman,  some  in  years,  of  bright  abilities,  who  appeared 
sound  in  her  memory,  said  she  could  well  remember  all  the 
children  of  the  first  family  that  stayed  in  America,  and  that 
lived  to' be  old ;  and  she  had  heard  all  three  of  the  brothers, 
(when  she  was  young),  and  the  old  man,  relate  the  account  of 
the  occurrences  that  took  place. 

I  was  born  the  22d  of  the  4th  month,  1'762,  being  the  son  of 
Elijah  and  Phebe  Hoag,  and  of  the  fifth  generation  from  the 
first  family,  which  came  over  from  England,  and  settled  not  far 
from  Hampton,  and  bound  out  their  son  John,  an  apprentice 
to  a  leather  dresser  and  glove  maker.  Shortly  after  this,  there 
came  an  advertisement  from  England,  that  there  was  a  great 
estate  fell  to  them,  so  they  all  returned  but  this  boy,  whose 
1 


'>0<   '''      .'',:,''  JOURNAL    OF 

master  would  not  give  liira  up  ;  so  John  remained  an  appren- 
tice under  a  hard  master,  without  a  friend  to  interfere  or  plead 
his  cause,  until  he  was  of  age,  after  which  he  married  an  only 
child  whose  maiden  name  was  Emery,  and  with  her  he  had  an 
estate  that  placed  him  in  good  circumstance.  It  was  remarked 
that  he  was  a  man  of  that  calmness  of  mind  and  steadiness  of 
deportment,  that  it  was  a  rare  thing  to  see  him  discomposed 
by  crossing  occurrences.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  natural  abilities, 
and  filled  the  place  of  side  Judge  in  the  County  Court,  until 
the  taking  up  people  for  witchcraft,  which  he  opposed  with 
such  steadiness  and  resolution,  that  he  lost  his  seat,  and  his  in- 
fluence with  the  people.  He  and  his  wife  being  zealous  Pres- 
byterians, were  well  agreed  in  the  education  of  their  children. 
Their  son,  Joseph,  while  a  young  man,  had  it  on  his  mind  to 
go  to  a  Friends'  meeting ;  he  did  so  ;  it  proved  a  silent  one ; 
there  he  became  convinced,  and  soon  joined  the  Society,  be- 
came an  acceptable  minister,  and  lived  to  old  age.  It  was  be- 
lieved that  he  was  faithful  in  his  day,  and  died  in  good  unity 
with  his  Friends.  His  becoming  a  Friend,  caused  great  unea- 
siness and  alarm  in  the  family,  so  that  they  used  all  their  en- 
deavors by  persuasion  and  argument  to  turn  him  from  it,  but 
to  no  purpose,  although  he  was  a  man  the  smallest  in  capacity 
of  the  males  in  the  family,  yet  none  of  them  could  hold  way 
with  him  in  argument,  in  matters  of  religion.  This  so  roused 
his  brother  Jonathan,  that  he  went  to  the  Priest  with  the  piti- 
ful story,  that  Joseph  had  become  possessed  with  the  Quaker 
spirit,  and  so  bewitched  with  it  that  they  could  not  talk  him 
out  of  it,  nor  do  anything  with  him.  He  therefore  wished  the 
Priest  to  come  and  talk  to  him,  and  pray  with  him,  or  else 
they  should  lose  him.  This  the  Priest  utterly  declined  to  do, 
telling  him  it  would  do  no  good  to  talk  to  him,  for  he  would 
not  be  talked  out  of  it ;  the  best  way  would  be  to  laugh  and 
jeer  him  out  of  it.  If  that  did  not  do,  take  him  to  frolics  and 
make  him  dance ;  if  he  did  not  get  rid  of  it  then,  give  him 
drams  until  he  was  merry,  and  that  would  wear  it  ofi".  This 
counsel  so  displeased  Jonathan,  that  he  went  home,  out  of  pa- 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  11 

tience  with  his  Priest,  and  concluded  he  would  go  to  meeting 
with  Joseph,  and  see  what  he  could  find  among  the  Quakers. 
When  he  went,  Lydia  Norton  was  at  the  meeting;  she  so 
thoroughly  unravelled  all  the  Presbyterian  creeds,  that  he  be- 
came decidedly  convinced.  This  increased  the  agony  in  the 
family.  Then  Benjamin,  their  youngest  brother,  a  man  of  great 
wit  and  readiness  of  speech,  with  much  anxiety,  exerted  all  his 
abilities  for  their  preservation ;  but  finding  himself  unequal  to 
the  task,  and  not  being  able  to  get  his  Priest  to  his  assistance, 
gave  it  up  with  sorrow,  for  awhile ;  but  observing  the  steady 
conduct  of  his  brothers,  concluded  he  would  go  and  see  what  it 
was  they  got  among  the  Quakers,  that  made  such  an  alteration 
in  their  conduct,  (which  he  related  afterwards) ;  and  at  the 
meeting  he  attended,  a  woman  Friend  came,  who  was  so  enabled 
to  overturn  Benjamin's  bulwarks,  that  it  finished  the  business 
with  him.  He  told  his  brothers  that  he  came  there  to  see 
what  they  were  after,  and  he  had  found  out,  and  did  not  blame 
them,  and  never  more  followed  the  Priest,  but  became  a  Friend. 
This,  to  their  religious  parents,  was  such  a  heavy  stroke  that 
their  mourning  seemed  to  be  without  consolation,  believing  that 
unavoidable  destruction  was  the  certain  doom  of  all  their  sons — 
so  that  for  a  while  it  seemed  as  if  it  would  take  their  natural 
lives ;  but  after  a  while  they  seemed  to  comfort  themselves, 
having  done  their  duty,  and  God  would  be  glorified  in  them 
that  were  lost,  as  well  as  in  them  that  were  saved ;  so  gave  it 
up,  endeavoring  to  keep  their  three  daughters  as  much  from 
exposure  as  they  could,  and  firom  talking  with  their  brothers  on 
religious  subjects.  But  they  being  young  people  together,  it 
was  out  of  their  power.  At  length  there  came  a  Friend  from 
England,  and  Mary,  their  favorite  daughter,  went  to  the  meet- 
ing, and  the  testimony  of  the  Friend  so  thoroughly  convinced 
her,  that  in  a  short  time  she  became  a  member,  and  soon  came 
forward  in  the  ministry,  and  in  a  few  years  became  an  able 
minister. 

Shortly  after,  one  of  the  younger  sisters  was  convinced  and 
became  a  member;    the  other  gradually  broke  off  from  the 


12  JOURNAL   OF 

Presbyterians,  and  though  she  never  became  a  member,  the 
greater,  and  all  the  latter  part  of  her  days  she  attended  Friends' 
meetings.  Their  parents  continued  a  number  of  years  in  their 
way  ;  at  length  the  priest  got  to  pitying  them ;  stating,  what  a 
hard  fortune  it  was  to  lose  all  their  children,  body  and  soul, 
after  raising  so  likely  a  family,  to  which  the  aged  father  replied, 
"I  do  not  know  about  my  children  being  lost;  I  brought  them 
up  as  well  as  I  knew  how,  and  I  thought  they  behaved  well, 
while  they  kept  to  their  education.  I  have  observed  them  a 
number  of  years,  since  they  have  turned  Quakers,  and  I  think 
their  conduct  is  much  more  like  the  pattern  of  mankind,  than 
it  ever  was  before."  To  which  the  priest  exclaimed,  "  I  see 
you  are  gone  ;  "  got  up,  left  him,  and  never  visited  him  after- 
wards. After  this,  the  father  became  a  member,  and  died  in 
the  principles  of  Friends. 

This  so  affected  his  wife,  that  she  seemed  afflicted  to  his  dy- 
ing day.  She  often  said  she  could  not  give  up,  as  he  had  been 
so  upright  a  man,  but  that  he  would  come  out  of  that  Quaker 
spirit,  and  die  a  good  man  at  last. 

A  short  time  before  his  death,  he  told  her,  that  in  a  few 
weeks  he  should  die  and  go  to  rest ;  that  he  had  obtained  an 
assurance  of  happiness ;  to  which  she  exclaimed  ;  "  oh !  my 
dear  husband,  will  you  die  in  that  delusion,  and  go  to  destruc- 
tion ;  "  and  wept  very  bitterly. 

A  little  before  he  died,  he  told  his  wife  he  was  not  deceived, 
and  she  would  have  a  sign ;  that  when  he  died  the  cords  of  one 
of  his  thighs  should  be  shrunk,  as  Jacob's  was,  and  that  should 
be  a  proof  to  her  that  he  was  not  deceived.  This  but  increased 
her  agony,  for  she  viewed  him  still  plunging  into  the  dark  cloud 
of  delusion,  so  that  when  he  died,  her  mourning  was  without 
bounds,  thinking  he  was  gone  into  misery. 

When  they  came  to  lay  him  out,  the  cords  of  one  his  thighs 
was  so  drawn  that  the  leg  stood  as  though  he  sat  in  a  chair. 
Several  men  tried  to  straighten  it,  but  could  not.  After  the 
man  had  taken  the  measure  of  the  corpse,  he  bethought  him- 
self that  it  might  be  had  not  got  the  bend  of  the  limb  exact,  he 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  13 

would  go  back  and  be  certain ;  when  he  came  back  he  put  his 
hand  under  the  heel  and  found  it  gave  way,  he  straightened  the 
limb  without  any  difficulty. 

When  the  widow  saw  this  I  was  told  she  sat  down  suddenly 
and  sat  in  a  profound  silence  for  some  length  of  time,  and  then 
exclaimed,  "  all  my  trouble  is  gone ;  my  husband  is  gone 
happy ; "  after  which  she  gave  the  relation  of  these  testimonies 
— as  given  by  her  husband  while  living— in  the  presence  of  her 
children  and  neighbors,  but  added,  "  I  could  not  believe  until 
my  own  eyes  see,  and  now  I  am  satisfied ; "  She  went  with  the 
Presbyterians  no  more,  but  attended  Friends'  meetings  to  the 
end  of  her  days.  Her  husband  was  upwards  of  eighty  years  of 
age  when  he  died.  Their  son  Jonathan  left  six  sons  and  several 
daughters ;  the  sons,  except  one,  all  moved  to  the  Oblong,  in 
New  York  State. 

My  grand-father  on  my  father's  side,  was  Jonathan — ^the  son 
of  Jonathan — who  was  one  of  those  who  removed  to  the  Ob- 
long, was,  I  think,  about  84  years  of  age  when  he  died. 

I  shall  now  turn  my  attention  to  my  own  life,  and  subjects 
connected  with  it. 

Very  early  in  life  I  was  favored  with  Divine  visitations  and 
well  remember  when  the  few  friends  that  lived  over  the  Creek 
were  allowed  to  hold  a  meeting ;  this  being  the  first  I  have  any 
remembrance  of  attending.  I  often  felt  my  mind  tendered  in 
these  little  meetings,  and  my  understanding  enlightened,  and  I 
often  covenanted  that  I  would  live  a  good  life,  and  be  a  good 
man  ;  but  being  of  a  fretful  disposition,  I  often  fell  short,  and 
brought  sorrow  and  keen  conviction  on  my  mind ;  and  I  often 
went  into  the  woods  alone  and  wept  bitterly,  and  promised  my- 
self to  do  better.  So  I  passed  along  several  years,  sometimes 
doing  pretty  well  and  sometimes  bemoaning  myself  in  solitary 
places. 

But  to  return  to  the  early  day  of  this  little  meeting — which 
consisted  of  five  men  and  four  women,  who  were  heads  of  fam- 
ilies, where  I  was  steadily  taken,  and  soon  loved  to  go — I  had 
not  passed  my  tenth  year,  when  I  was  led  into  the  following 


14  JOURNAL    OF 

night-vision.  I  fancied  in  my  sleep  that  I  went  to  meeting 
with  my  little  brothers  on  4th  day,  it  being  our  meeting  day  ; 
and  I  beheld  that  my  father  and  the  few  friends  of  that  meet- 
ing, came  in  and  sat  down  together  as  usual.  Shortly  I  saw 
three  or  four  coming  from  the  southeast,  riding  very  fast ;  their 
garb  and  appearance  were  like  Friends,  and  I  thought  they  were 
Friends.  They  came  into  the  house  with  a  quick  motion,  and 
fierce  look,  and  seated  themselves  with  my  father.  Shortly  I 
saw  my  father  rise,  and  deliver  a  short  testimony  ;  soon  one  of 
this  company  rose  up  and  condemned  father's  testimony,  and 
him  as  a  false  preacher,  adding,  that  there  was  a  false  ministry 
coming  forth  among  them,  and  if  they  were  not  well  guarded, 
it  would  do  much  hurt ;  at  the  same  time  pointing  at  my  fath- 
er, and  with  harsh  censure  sat  down.  One  of  his  company 
Mrose  and  united  with  the  last  testimony.  Tlie  meeting  then 
T^oon  closed,  and  all  went  out  together.  My  father  and  his 
company  turned  to  the  tight,  with  a  moderate,  steady  pace ; 
the  others  turned  to  the  left,  with  a  quick  hasty  movement. 

I  thought  I  went  the  next  meeting  day,  as  usual,  and  saw 
father  and  his  little  company  sit  down  together.  Shortly  I  be- 
held the  otter  company  come,  in  their  former  appearance  and 
motion ;  but  said  they  would  not  sit  with  Elijah  ;  he  should  sit 
on  the  bench,  and  they  would  sit  in  the  gallery.  They  fixed  a 
seat  over  his  head  and  placed  themselves  there.  Soon  after  the 
meeting  was  quiet,  my  father  delivered  a  short  testimony,  then 
one  of  this  company  arose,  spoke  hasty  and  quick ;  a  second 
followed,  and  looking  down  on  my  father,  called  him  a  de- 
ceiver, a  false  teacher,  a  cunning  deviser  of  fables,  working  in 
the  craft  of  the  serpent,  and  warned  those  who  sat  with  him  to 
make  their  escape  before  it  was  too  late.  The  third  arose  and 
united  with  him.  I  noticed  father  sat  very  still,  looked  solid, 
but  never  replied.  The  meeting  closed ;  they  parted  much  as 
before,  father  looked  very  sober. 

My  prospect  continued  on  to  the  third  meeting,  where  I  saw 
father  and  his  little  band  take  their  seats  as  usual ;  the  others 
came  in  with   their   former  appearance    and  motion,  but  at 


JOSEPH    HO  AG.  16 

a  later  period,  being  more  in  number ;  and  went  to  their 
gallery,  as  they  called  it.  In  my  view,  father  appeared  in 
this  meeting,  and  was  soon  followed  by  one  of  that  company ; 
a  second,  and  a  third.  Before  they  had  done  I  discovered  they 
had  gained  the  attention  of  two  of  father's  little  company ;  an 
own  brother  and  brother-in-law.  They  repeated  their  former 
censures  and  warning,  and  said  the  Lord  sent  them  to  warn 
this  people.  This  time  they  broke  their  meeting  first,  went  out, 
and  turned  to  the  left  hand ;  father  broke  his  meeting  as  he 
went  out  and  turned  to  the  right  hand ;  these  two  uncles 
turned  from  him  and  followed  the  other  company.  He  looked 
sohd  and  sorrowful,  but  never  replied  nor  showed  resentment, 
through  all  these  appearances. 

As  I  came  out  of  the  meeting  house,  I  looked  up  and  saw  a 
beautiful  oval  cloud,  and  a  very  comely  man  standing  upon  it, 
who  spoke  to  me,  saying,  "  Dost  thou  know  what  these  things 
mean  ?"  I  answered,  "  no ;"  he  replied,  "  I  am  sent  to  tell 
thee."  I  then  mused  in  my  mind  who  he  should  be ;  he  re- 
plied, "  I  am  an  angel  of  the  Lord ; "  then  pointing  to  the 
company  which  my  uncles  followed,  he  said,  "  that  company 
are  schemers,  and  have  a  ranter  spirit,  and  shall  come  to  noth- 
ing ;  but  that  man  of  dark  appearance,  in  the  honesty  of  his 
heart,  shall  be  saved.  Thou  shalt  see  thy  uncles  come  to 
nothing. "  Then  looking  towards  father,  said,  "  Thy  father  is 
a  true  minister ;  he  will  haye  abundance  to  undergo  from  these 
schemers,  but  if  he  keeps  his  place  they  never  will  overthrow 
him  for  the  Lord  will  keep  him  from  falling. "  All  this  was 
showed  me,  before  my  father  had  appeared  in  public,  neither 
had  I  seen  any  of  these  men  before  I  had  this  view,  except  my 
uncles,  but  have  seen  all  of  them  since. 

Not  long  after  this  father  appeared  in  public,  and  a  few 
months  after  this  I  saw  all  three  of  the  men  come  in  that  ap- 
peared to  me  before,  where  I  heard  the  communications,  and 
saw  the  conduct,  I  think  exact  as  it  had  appeared  to  me.  Af- 
ter meeting  I  learned  their  names,  and  who  the  dark  appearing 
man  was  ;  he  was  a  very  dark,  swarthy  countenanced  man,  of 


16*  JOURNAL    OF 

small  natural  abilities,  and  seemed  to  be  influenced  by  others. 
In  a  few  montlis  they  came  to  our  little  meeting  again  in  a 
company  as  before,  where  I  heard  and  saw  acted  out,  what  had 
appeared  to  me  before,  except  fixing  a  gallery ;  but  about  a  year 
after,  I  think  it  was,  I  was  at  the  old  Nine  Partners,  at  monthly 
meeting,  I  believe,  for  the  first  time.  Here  was  the  first  I  ever 
saw  a  gallery,  and  here,  by  this  band,  my  father  was  ordered 
off  the  front  seat,  and  bid  to  sit  down  amongst  the  people. 
He  had  before  this  been  taken  by  his  friends  at  home,  on  the 
front  seat,  in  his  own  meeting,  and  had  been  invited  on  to  that 
seat,  by  an  old  minister  belonging  to  the  same  monthly  meet- 
ing. They  not  only  ordered  father  down,  but  I  heard  the  cen- 
sorious communications  delivered  at  large,  and  I  noticed  that 
father  sat  very  still,  through  all  these  different  times,  looked 
very  solid,  but  never  replied  a  word ;  so  that  I  saw  in  the  course 
of  two  years  all  acted  out  by  these  three  men  that  appeared  in 
my  night  vision. 

My  uncles,  about  this  time,  appeared  very  thoughtful  and 
religiously  inclined;  but  after  this  last  meeting,  they  turned 
against  my  father,  and  would  censure  him  to  his  face,  and  say 
that  these  were  all  true  recommended  ministers,  and  other 
Friends  believed  so  ;  and  so  it  was  that  they  manifested  a  bitter, 
censorious  spirit  against  him  through  life. 

They  were  all  young  recommended  ministers,  when  they  be- 
gan opposition  to  my  father.  One  of  them  being  a  subtle, 
smooth-tongued  man,  used  all  the  influence  he  was  capable  of 
to  bear  him  down,  and  so  far  succeeded,  during  fifteen  years, 
as  to  get  the  greater  part  of  the  elders,  and  some  of  the  minis- 
ters belonging  to  our  quarterly  meeting  in  the  same  spirit  of 
opposition  with  themselves.  Yet  some  aged  ministers,  and  a 
few  elders  countenanced  my  father,  and  plead  for  him. 

My  uncle  by  marriage,  in  a  few  years  appeared  to  lose  all  his 
religion ;  took  to  drink,  ran  through  his  estate,  and  was  disown- 
ed from  society.  His  family,  all  went  out  of  society  except  my 
aunt.  My  own  uncle  departed  from  all  religious  appearance 
and  became  a  hard  drinker,  involving  his  estate,  leaving  his 


JOSEPH    HO AG.  17 

family  nearly  destitute.  Two  of  his  children  became  hard 
drinkers ;  several  went  out  of  the  society,  and  have  not  returned 
to  this  day,  which  is  upwards  of  twenty  years ;  only  one  of  the 
family  is  a  religious  character.  So  they  seemed  to  be  scattered 
in  Israel,  and  divided  in  Jacob. 

Now,  to  return  to  those  pursuers  of  my  father :  two  of  them 
carried  a  high  hand  for  several  years,  till  they  got  mostly  the 
rule  of  the  monthly  meeting,  and  during  this  time  the  meeting 
disowned  a  great  many  youth  for  trifling  misses;  and  older 
friends,  who  did  not  tune  after  their  pipes,  if  they  could  get  a 
hitch  upon  them.  At  length  these  two  leaders  fell  out  between 
themselves,  about  interest  matters,  and  carried  the  quarrel  so 
high  as  to  charge  each  other  with  lies,  so  that  the  monthly 
meeting  had  to  disown  them  both.  They  ran  through  their 
estates,  and  became  insolvent ;  the  leading  one  never  returned 
to  society ;  the  other,  after  many  years  came  back,  but  never 
has  been  of  much  use  or  account.  The  dark  appearing  man 
being  of  small  abilities,  and  naturally  of  a  quiet  make,  content- 
ed himself  with  his  own  gift,  for  the  most  part,  so  that  he  kept 
his  credit  good  in  society  and  amongst  his  neighbors,  and  died 
in  unity  with  his  Friends.  The  family  of  the  leading  one  pret- 
ty much  ran  out ;  one  daughter  became  a  nice  Friend,  and  rec- 
ommended minister ;  so  that  we  see  that  those  who  consider 
their  ways,  and  turn  to  the  Lord,  do  not  have  to  answer  for  the 
sins  of  their  fathers. 

This  rent,  made  a  great  break  in  the  strength  of  that  class  ; 
and  about  this  time,  I  think  it  was,  some  others,  who  were  lead- 
ing members,  were  detected  in  scandalous  deeds,  and  were  dis- 
owned. So  it  continued  along,  and  in  a  few  years,  I  think  there 
was  not  less  than  fifteen  leading  members  of  this  class  disown- 
ed from  society.     This  made  a  great  change  in  the  times. 

And  now,  dear  children,  in  my  silent  musings,  in  lopking 
over  the  just  dealings  of  the  Almighty,  and  remembering  my 
night-vision,  and  having  lived  to  see  it  come  to  pass,  and  to  see 
the  end  of  many  of  these  fiery  builders  and  ruin  of  their  great 
castle,  and  that,  after  all  this,  I  have  lived  to  see  your  grand- 


18  JOURNAL    OP 

father  in  his  old  age  a  recommended  minister,  who  traveled  in 
the  ministry,  with  the  unity  of  his  brethren,  in  different  and 
distant  parts  of  this  country,  greatly  to  the  satisfaction  of  his 
friends,  and  the  peace  of  his  own  mind,  I  believe  it  my  duty  to 
leave  the  account  of  these  occurrences  for  you  to  look  at,  and 
think  upon,  when  I  am  laid  in  the  silent  grave,  where  you  may 
see  how  the  Shepherd  of  Israel  preserveth,  and  carrieth  through 
all  tribulation,  those  who  trust  in  Him  ;  and  that  He  never  fails 
to  plead  the  cause  of  the  innocent,  and  give  them  the  new  song 
on  the  banks  of  deliverance.  While  on  the  other  hand,  you 
may  as  clearly  see  how  the  Lord  destroyeth  Babel,  with  all  her 
builders,  and  that  nothing  will  stand  or  endure  but  what  His 
own  spirit  createth  and  directeth,  in  all  our  religious  move- 
ments. 

I  now  return  to  my  getting  along,  from  nine  to  twelve  years 
of  age.  I  had  many  clear  openings.  I  remember  that  in  the 
course  of  this  time,  I  went  one  day  to  the  meeting  early,  and 
got  to  the  house  before  any  others  came.  I  felt  an  inclination 
to  sit  on  the  front  seat,  and  I  did  so  ;  sat  there  awhile  ;  there  it 
was  made  known  to  me  as  clear  as  ever  it  was  afterwards,  that 
in  that  part  of  the  house  I  should  have  to  sit  in  time  to  come, 
and  should  have  to  preach,  and  I  must  conduct  well,  for  if  I 
did  not  I  should  not  be  fit  to  preach ;  and  that  I  must  mind 
and  do  right.  My  mind  was  made  sensible  of  the  solemnity  of 
the  subject,  which  continued  with  me  through  the  meeting,  and 
it  was  revived  on  my  mind  at  times  for  years. 

Being  early  visited  with  good,  I  was  often  observed  to  be  in 
a  muse,  and  was  often  asked  what  I  was  studying  about,  but 
being  of  a  bashful  make,  was  not  willing  my  thoughts  should 
be  known  to  any  mortal,  and  to  escape  being  noticed,  I  often 
went  into  the  woods  and  other  secret  places  to  prevent  expos- 
ure. On  account  of  my  quickness  of  temper  when  crossed,  and 
aptness  of  disposition  to  be  caught  and  diverted  with  merri- 
ment, I  took  this  way  in  order  to  cry  to  my  Maker,  without 
any  person  knowing  it ;  but  I  invited  a  cousin  about  my  age,  to 
go  along  with  me,  telling  him  my  thoughts  and  feelings.     He 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  19 

went  with  me  a  little  while  ;  at  length  he  told  me  he  could  not 
bear  to  be  laughed  at  and  despised  by  his  brother  and  play- 
mates, as  he  was,  for  being  sober  and  going  with  me,  and  he 
must  leave  me.  I  reasoned  with  him,  and  endeavored  to  per- 
suade and  encourage  him  to  keep  along  steady.  He  acknowl- 
edged he  was  well  satisfied  with  my  company,  and  that  he  nev- 
er felt  better  than  when  he  was  sitting  alone  with  me,  in  silence  ; 
he  believed  it  was  right,  but  could  not  bear  what  he  met  with, 
and  must  leave  me,  which  he  did,  to  sorrow  alone.  He  took 
his  career  in  merriment,  and  afterwards  told  me  at  times,  that 
by  and  by  he  would  be  good ;  but  sorrowful  to  relate,  he  has 
never  become  a  religious  man  to  this  day,  though  now  over 
fifty  years  of  age.  But  I  have  heard  of  his  telling  of  the  good 
meetings  he  and  I  had  in  'the  woods  ;  that  he  believed,  if  he  had 
kept  with  me,  he  would  have  been  a  good  man.  His  departure, 
with  other  circumstances,  appearing  to  combine  to  depress  my 
mind,  led  me  into  great  discouragements,  being  of  a  weakly 
make,  and  having  had  a  number  of  gatherings  in  my  head, 
which  affected  my  hearing,  and  oft-times  being  in  a  muse  when 
spoken  to,  did  not  always  understand,  and  of  course  did  not  at- 
tend, which  was  often  followed  with  a  rebuke.  This,  with  the 
censure  of  being  careless,  (although  I  had  no  disposition  to  be 
disobedient,)  almost  broke  my  heart  at  times.  At  other  times 
it  would  aggravate  and  discompose  me,  and  I  think  these  dis- 
couraging circumstances  continued  for  two  years.  Yet,  all 
along,  my  mind  was  impressed  with  a  sense  that  it  was  my  du- 
ty to  be  obedient,  for  the  Lord  required  it  of  me.  Under  these 
impressions,  my  intentions  were  to  try  to  do  right,  and  many 
times,  when  I  had  got  out  of  the  right  way,  and  was  favored  to 
see  it,  I  went  alone  and  bemoaned  my  condition,  and  begged 
for  the  pardoning  mercies  of  my  Redeemer,  and  found  Him  a 
tender  Father,  who  pitied  my  weaknesses  and  compassionated 
my  griefs. 

In  the  year  1111,  being  fifteen  years  old,  I  thought  I  would 
learn  to  swim,  and  often  being  in  the  water,  I  perceived  that 
when  the  water  got  into  my  ears  and  ran  out,  it  brought  a  wax- 


20  JOURNAL    OF 

like  matter,  whicli  cooled  the  heat  in  my  ears,  and  gave  ease. 
This  induced  me  to  practice,  so  I  commenced  going  to  a  clear, 
cold  spring,  nearly  every  day,  and  filling  my  ears  with  the  wa- 
^r.  It  continued  to  bring  away  that  gluey  matter  until  I  be- 
gan to  hear  with  one  ear  pretty  well.  This  seemed  to  put  new 
life  in  me,  for  this  enabled  me  to  hear,  and  answer  quick,  and 
pay  attention.  I  continued  the  practice,  and  after  a  while, 
there  was  a  sharp  snap*  in  my  head  that  seemed  to  make  it  jar, 
and  soon  after  it,  there  came  out  of  the  other  ear,  a  twist  in  the 
form  of  a  screw,  that  looked  like  glue,  which  I  judge  was  the 
eighth  of  an  inch  long.  This  coming  away  gave  vent  to  thin- 
ner matter,  which  so  cleared  my  head,  that  it  relieved  me  of  a 
roaring,  which  had  been  almost  perpetual,  and  enabled  me  to 
distinguish  sounds,  an  enjoyment  that  I  never  had  before. 
This  enlivened  my  spirits,  and  I  soon  manifested  activity,  and 
abilities  that  were  not  discovered  before,  which  drew  the  atten- 
tion of  those  about  me,  and  served  to  enliven  my  ambition  to 
embrace  every  opportunity  to  gain  esteem. 

This  summer,  about  the  beginning  of  rye  harvest,  in  the  time 
of  the  revolutionary  war,  a  band  of  rangers,  so-called,  came,  and 
commanded  my  father  to  go  with  them,  under  arms,  to  look  up 
some  drafted  men,  who  had  absconded.  Father  refused ;  their 
captain  demanded  the  reason ;  he  replied,  it  is  against  my  con- 
science to  go  with  men  under  anlis  to  distress  my  peaceable 

neighbors ;  the  captain  replied,  " ■  your  conscience,  you  shall 

go,"  drew  his  sword,  and  presented  to  father's  breast  bidding 
him  walk  on,  or  he  would  run  him  through  immediately.  Fa- 
ther being  unwell,  was  lying  on  the  bed ;  he  looked  the  captain 
calmly  in  the  face,  and  replied,  "I  shall  not  go  with  thee  one 
step  as  a  pilot ;"  the  captain  stepped  forward  with  these  expres- 
sions :  " you,  then  I  will  run  you  through  immediately  ;" 

father  replied,  "that  thou  mayest  do,  for  I  shall  not  put  my  life 
against  my  conscience  ;  but  I  would  have  thee  consider,  that  thou 
hast  but  one  life  to  live,  and  must  die  as  well  as  myself ;  to  shed  in- 
nocent blood  is  a  heavy  thing ;  thou  may  bring  a  load  on  thy- 
self, that  thou  may  be  sorry  to  carry  through  life,  and  will  be 


JOSEPH   HOAa.  21 

a  heavy  thing  to  answer  for,  before  the  judge  of  all  men,  to 
whom  thou  must  give  an  account."  The  captain  turned  pale, 
his  hand  fell  with  a  tremor ;  he  turned  to  his  men,  and  bid  them 
take  him ;  they  were  not  hasty  to  obey ;  he  raised  his  sword 
with  a  harsh  expression,  bidding  them  take  him  by  the  shoul- 
ders ;  they  did  so,  dragged  him  out  of  that  room,  and  across 
another,  down  a  flight  of  stairs,  and  through  the  kitchen,  into 
the  door-yard,  very  quick.  The  captain  then  said,  "I  make  a 
prisoner  of  you  for  your  stubbornness ;"  father  rephed,  "as  a 
prisoner  I  will  go  where  I  am  ordered,  but  as  a  pilot  I  will  not 
go  one  step."  They  put  him  under  guard  that  night ;  the  next 
day  he  was  sent  to  jail,  but  the  jailor  not  being  there  to  take 
the  delivery  of  him,  he  returned  home  for  a  week,  was  then  ta- 
ken back  and  put  into  a  miry,  stinking  room,  adjoining  a 
slaughter  yard,  and  no  place  to  get  air,  except  the  window 
fronting  the  slaughter  yard,  and  a  little  hole  where  they  passed 
in  victuals.  Here  they  were  kept  a  number  of  days,  and  were 
not  even  allowed  straw  to  lie  upon.  My  father  being  taken 
with  the  camp-fever,  and  in  danger  of  dying,  they  became 
alarmed,  and  removed  him,  (and  another  man  confined  with 
him,)  into  a  clean  room,  where  they  could  have  fresh  air,  allow- 
ing his  friends  to  come  and  bring  him  necessaries. 

In  about  two  weeks  he  recovered,  and  was  then  removed  to 
Esopas,  (since  called  Kingston,)  and  put  on  board  the  fleet-pris- 
on, where  he  was  kept  till  after  the  fall  sowing.  When  father 
was  taken  away  we  had  just  begun  to  cut  our  rye,  of  which  we 
had  five  acres ;  eleven  bushels  sowing  of  wheat,  three  acres  of 
flax,  and  three  of  oats. 

Owing  to  the  extreme  difficulty  of  procuring  help  at  this 
time,  we  were  under  the  necessity  of  accepting  the  kindly  offer- 
ed assistance  of  a  young  woman  who  lived  in  the  family,  and 
who  proposed  that  if  we  three  eldest  boys  would  take  our  sick- 
les and  reap,  she  would  bind  after  us,  and  help  set  up.  I  went 
forward  with  all  the  resolution  my  constitution  would  bear,  and 
we  succeeded,  with  the  help  of  a  man  for  a  few  days,  in  secur- 
ing our  grain  crops  in  good  season. 


22  JOURNAL    OF 

I  was  prompted  with  the  idea,  that  it  should  be  seen  the 
crops  should  not  be  lost,  if  it  were  possible  to  save  them  ;  yet 
all  this  fell  short  of  consoling  my  mind,  so  that,  many  hours 
when  at  work,  the  tears  would  run  down  my  face  plentifully, 
and  weeping  frequently  occupied  the  watches  of  the  night.  I 
often  exclaimed,  "0,  Lord,  what  shall  we  do  ?  Have  mercy  on 
us ;"  and  so  he  did,  for  my  mind  was  often  favored  to  feel  that 
peace,  and  that  foretaste  of  joy,  which  I  have  not  language  to 
express ;  more  particularly  so  in  meetings. 

Our  father  advised  us  to  keep  to  meetings,  and  not  to  neglect 
those  of  the  middle  of  the  week.  We  kept  strictly  to  his  charge, 
and  I  believe  to  this  day  it  was  a  blessing  to  us  ;  and  I  feel 
myself  bound,  in  humble  gratitude  thankfully  to  adore  the  good- 
ness and  tender  mercies  of  the  Shepherd  of  Israel,  who  gra- 
ciously sustained  in  the  needful  time. 

When  we  went  at  our  hay,  I  found  that  I  was  so  worn,  I 
could  mow  but  to  little  purpose ;  my  strength  so  gone,  and  my 
brother  less  able  than  I  was,  that  under  this  depression,  I  wept 
aloud  as  I  mowed,  and  my  father's  youngest  brother  passing  at 
the  time,  stopped,  and  looked  upon  us  with  astonishment ;  (he 
was  a  fore-handed  man,  and  had  plenty  of  help) ;  at  length  he 
said,  "  Joseph,  what  is  the  matter  with  thee,  that  thee  cry  so  ? " 
Finding  that  my  feelings  were  discovered,  surprised  me ;  at 
length  I  told  him  that  we  had  almost  worked  ourselves  to  death 
already,  and  had  not  strength  to  mow  ;  must  lose  all  our  grass, 
and  have  no  fodder  for  our  stock  in  the  winter,  for  we  could 
hire  no  help.  My  uncle,  with  a  smile,  bid  me  not  be  discour- 
aged, or  work  too  hard,  and  he  would  see  if  he  could  get  some 
help,  and  signified  that  our  fodder  would  not  be  lost.  lie  went 
home  and  told  his  men  it  would  not  do  ;  Elijah's  boys  would 
kill  themselves  trying  to  save  their  hay ;  seeing  how  the  little 
lellows  worked  in  the  meadow  alone,  gave  him  such  a  feeling 
as  he  never  had  before,  and  they  must  go  and  help  them.  In 
a  few  days,  with  his  assistance,  we  were  enabled  to  secure  nearly 
all  our  hay.  This  so  put  us  forward,  and  renewed  my  courage, 
that  with  diligence,  I  succeeded  in  putting  in   eleven   acres 


,  JOSEPH    HOAG.  23 

of  winter  grain,  in  good  season,  and  had  commenced 
spreading  the  flax,  when  father  returned  home.  Our  suc- 
cess in  business  during  my  father's  absence,  raised  the  ad- 
miration of  the  neighbors.  But,  alas !  as  ray  former  situa- 
tion served  to  depress,  and  cast  me  down,  this  change  sorrow- 
fully produced  the  contrary  effect,  as  is  common  for  one  ex- 
treme to  produce  another. 

Before  leaving  the  subject  of  my  father's  imprisonment,  I 
shall  remark  that  those  in  authority  often  endeavored  to  pre- 
vail on  him  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  or  sign  the  associa- 
tion, stating  that  he  should  then  have  his  liberty  ;  he,  refusing 
to  comply,  informing  them  he  had  done  nothing  to  forfeit  it ; 
that  he  was  a  free-born  American  and  should  not  acknowl- 
edge their  right  to  make  such  demands,  for  he  suffered 
for  conscience  sake,  in  obedience  to  a  King  who  was  above  all 
the  powers  of  the  earth,  to  whom  they  must  answer  as  well  as 
he.  After  a  while  they  offered  him  that  if  he  would  be  bound 
to  stay  on  his  own  farm,  he  might  go  home.  He  told  them  he 
should  enter  into  no  such  engagement ;  that  he  suffered  in  a 
good  cause,  and  that  if  he  was  set  on  his  own  farm,  he  should 
go  where  he  thought  right.  After  this  they  informed  him  that 
he  was  to  be  banished  to  the  British,  at  New  York,  and  then 
he  might  figkt  for  his  King,  to  which  he  replied,  if  they  sent 
him  there,  he  should  return ;  that  he  did  not  suffer  for  King 
George,  that  he  did  not  like  his  'conduct  better  than  theirs ; 
that  his  sufferings  were  for  the  cause  of  another  King,  to  whom 
King  George  and  they  would  have  to  give  an  account  for  their 
wretched  conduct,  and  the  shedding  of  human  blood  ;  to  which 
it  was  replied,  "  then  you  shall  lay  where  you  are  until  you  die, 
and  the  flesh  rot  off  your  bones."  But  shortly  after,  father  was 
set  at  liberty,  with  orders  to  go  home  and  behave  himself  well. 
There  were  several  other  Friends  made  prisoners,  for  going  to 
the  Yearly  Meeting ;  which,  at  this  time,  was  h«ld  on  Long 
Island ;  among  these  were  two  of  his  most  absolute  opposers, 
who  showed  their  feelings,  even  in  this  time  of  affliction,  which 
added  to  his  sufferings.     They  often  held  meetings  on  the  ves- 


24  JOURNAL    OF 

sel  on  first  days,  but  their  standing  so  opposed  to  him,  there 
seemed  but  little  or  no  room  for  him  to  relieve  his  mind ;  this 
caused  an  additional  weight  to  his  sufferings. 

I  shall  now  proceed  to  relate  some  of  the  most  trying  part  of 
my  life.  Having  now  gained  the  attention  of  my  father,  the 
praise  of  my  neighbors,  and  the  esteem  of  my  relations,  I  now 
thought  I  should  be  happy.  This  seemed  to  prepare  my  mind 
to  be  taken  captive  at  once. ;  but  notwithstanding,  the  Lord 
favored  me  often  with  renewed  visitations,  so  that  I  often  re- 
newed my  promises  to  do  right,  yet  often  being  persuaded 
to  go  into  company,  which  I  had  a  strong  taste  for ;  and  prom- 
ised myself,  I  would  take  care  and  do  no  harm,  and  about  as 
often  returned  home  wounded  to  the  heart  for  deviation  from 
my  promises.  Finding  myself  much  noticed  by  my  comrades, 
I  was  loth  to  lose  their  friendship,  which  was  an  enjoyment  I 
never  had  before.  I  was  also  unwilling  to  lose  the  favour  of 
my  Maker,  and  strove  for  a  time  to  please  both ;  but  being 
much  in  love  with  the  praise  of  the  world,  it  made  the  struggle 
hard.  For  while  I  strove  in  this  way,  to  my  soitow,  I  found  I 
displeased  both.  My  company  was  not  agreeable  to  my  asso- 
ciates, nor  my  course  acceptable  to  my  Maker.  In  this  way  I 
got  much  into  a  bewildered  state  of  mind,  yet-  was  favoured  at 
times,  to  feel  the  renewed  evidence  of  the  testimony  of  the 
Eternal  Truth,  that  the  time  was  drawing  nigh,  when  I  should 
have  to  appear  in  the  ministry,  and  it  was  sometimes  in  that 
clearness,  which  removed  all  doubts  and  scruples. 

Before  I  proceed  farther  with  the  above  subject,  I  think  it 
right  to  relate  two  remarkable  favors  which  the  Most  High 
showed  me,  between  the  ages  of  nine  and  fifteen,  which  were 
on  this  wise. 

Feeling  solitary,  I  laid  me  down  in  the  twilight  of  the  eve- 
ning, in  a  ponderous  muse,  and  whether  I  went  to  sleep  or  not 
I  never  knew.  But  so  it  was,  I  was  conducted  with  great 
quickness,  an  immense  distance  down,  or  from  all  that  was 
light  or  cheering,  until  I  was  brought  into  full  view  of  the  re- 
gions inhabited  by  infernal  spirits.     There  I  heard  the  cries  and 


doleful  lamentations  of  the  miserable,  exclaiming  against  con> 
duct  that  brought  them  there.  And  I  saw  that  every  tongue 
had  to  confess  to  the  truth,  and  to  acknowledge  that  it  was  their 
own  evil  conduct  which  brought  them  there.  Their  agonies, 
and  cries,  were  beyond  description,  and  their  habitation  a  sea 
to  which  I  could  see  neither  bottom  nor  shore,  and  all  appeared 
far  below  where  I  stood.  And  although  it  did  not  appear  to 
be  elementary  fire,  yet  there  appeared  a  dark  cloud  of  smoke 
perpetually  rising,  that  spread  over  the-  earth.  I  turned  to  look, 
and  beheld,  as  it  spread  over  the  earth,  that  darkness  increased, 
and  where  the  thick  columns  were,  it  almost  eclipsed  the  light 
of  the  sun ;  then  looking  I  beheld  that  there  was  a  few  who 
seemed  pleased  with  the  liglit  of  the  sun,  and  took  psdns  to 
keep  in  it.  The  countenances  of  these  appeared  bright  and  ac- 
tive ;  but  the  greater  part  of  the  people  appeared  disposed  to 
choose  the  darkened  air  to  breathe  in,  and  where  they  got  un- 
der the  thick  columns  of  smoke,  which  were  so  dark,  as  almost 
to  take  off  the  light  of  the  sun,  and  quite  its  warming  beams» 
These  I  saw  in  motion,  (and  they  perceived  it  not),  hastening 
down  a  gradual  descent ;  they  soon  moved  more  rapidly.  As 
they  verged  towards  the  burning  sea,  the  columns  of  smoke 
became  so  thick  that  little  was  to  be  seen ;  yet  they  appeared 
merry,  and  would  make  one  another  so.  They  seemed  to  have 
neither  fear  nor  concern,  till  they  dropped  into  the  burning  sea, 
when  their  surprise  appeared  indescribable,  and  their  anguish, 
no  pen  can  paint.  As  I  beheld,  I  noticed  in  the  burning  sea 
and  in  the  dark  smoke,  there  appeared  great  motion,  as  though 
the  sea  boiled.  The  sight  seemed  amazing,  but  more, 
when  I  beheld  the  old  dragon  in  his  terrific  hue,  whose  appear- 
ance, and  all  the  motions  of  his  tail,  seemed  wonderfully  to 
promote  horror  and  agony  through  the  dark  regions,  at 
which  sight,  it  seemed  as  if  I  had  no  strength  left.  Then  I 
heard  a  voice  from  on  high,  saying  to  my  guide,  "  see  thou 
and  take  him  back ;  "  he  touched  me,  and  conducted  me  back. 
When  I  came  to  myself,  my  face  and  body  were  much  covered 


26  Journal  oi* 

with  large  drops  of  sweat,  much  resembling  spring-water  for 
coldness.     I  soon  raised  up  and  saw  that  daylight  appeared. 

After  this,  I  had  no  relief  of  mind  until  I  told  two,  whom  I 
saw  on  the  brink  of  eternal  ruin.  It  took  hold  of  the  woman  ; 
she  melted  down  in  tears ;  she  was  one  the  libertine  sort.  I 
have  never  seen  her  since.  About  twenty  years  after,  I  fell  in 
with  her  husband  who  told  me  from  that  time  and  after  she 
lived  a  religious,  sober  life.  The  man  seemed  to  struggle  un- 
der it,  so  I  left  him.  About  fifteen  years  afterwards,  I  fell  in 
with  him  at  a  Friend's  house.  The  man  of  his  own  accord,  re- 
lated my  visit  in  the  presence  of  several  Friends,  and  confessed 
that  he  could  never  get  the  weight  of  it  off  his  mind,  until  he 
gave  up,  to  be  what  he  ought  to  be.  The  abote,  made  some 
weighty  impressions  on  my  mind,  for  a  while,  and  caused  me 
to  refrain  fi'om  some  wrong  habits  I  had  been  in,  yet  often  was 
made  sensible  of  falling  short  of  being  what  I  ought  to  be — the 
sense  thereof,  frequently  filled  my  mind  with  sorrow. 

In  this  situation,  I  one  day  towards  evening  laid  down,  and 
whether  I  dropped  into  a  sleep  or  not,  I  cannot  tell,  but  thought 
I  was  standing  on  a  beautiful  eminence,  where  I  had  a  view  of 
the  heavenly  host.  There  I  saw  the  King  of  Kings  on  His 
throne,  and  the  Redeemer  at  the  right  hand  of  Power,  and  the 
angels  standing  around  the  throne.  My  sins  were  shown  me  as 
plain  as  a  printed  book.  I  stood  trembhng,  looking  for  my 
final  sentence  ;  and  heard  one  of  the  angels  say,  "  shall  I  slay 
him  ?  "  The  great  King  said,  "no,  we  will  warn  him.  "  The 
angel  said,  "  shall  I  warn  him  ? "  The  Savior  of  man  replied, 
"  I  will  warn  him  ? "  and  arose  from  his  throne  and  looked 
down  upon  me,  and  cried,  "  depart,  depart,  from  sin ;  thy  life 
is  not  thy  own ;  "  and  as  He  retired  to  His  seat  the  appearance 
of  a  gate  closed  before  me  and  shut  all  out  of  my  sight.  When 
I  came  to  myself  I  found  my  body  in  much  the  same  condition 
it  was  in  when  I  had  the  night-vision  before,  and  had  lain  about 
two  hours.  This  so  impressed  my  mind  that  I  endeavored,  for 
a  while,  to  live  as  I  ought  to. 

When  I  arrived  at  the  age  of  about  fifteen  and  a  half  years, 


JOSEPH    HO  AG,  2*7 

I  thought  it  my  duty  to  speak  to  a  difficult  subject,  then  before 
the  Monthly  Meeting ;  but  from  a  fear  of  opposition,  I  forbore. 
This  brought  great  distress  upon  me  for  a  while.  In  about 
three  months  it  vas  laid  on  me  to  bear  a  public  testimony  in 
our  meetings  for  worship,  which  I  suppressed  and  reasoned 
away,  for  about  six  months,  when  it  all  left  me,  and  with  it  all 
comfort  and  peace.  My  light  became  darkness,  and  truly  great 
was  that  darkness.  I  groped  about  seeking  rest  but  found 
none — bitterly  bemoaning  my  condition  in  solitary  places.  At 
length  I  concluded  all  was  lost,  and  there  was  no  place  of  re- 
pentance for  me  ;  that  I  might  as  well  be  meriy  and  take  all 
the  comfort  I  could.  In  this  state  of  mind  I  again  joined  my 
young  companions,  and  ran  into  mirth  at  a  rapid  rate,  caiTying 
the  anguish  of  my  soul  with  me,  wherever  I  went,  and  was  of- 
ten met  with  by  renewed  convictions,  which  caused  me  to  trem- 
ble. Yet,  concluding  there  was  no  return  for  me,  I  might  as 
well  go  on,  so  I  dragged  along  for  several  months,  sometimes 
down  in  the  extreme,  at  other  times  as  much  in  the  air. 

About  this  time,  hearing  a  discourse  on  Infidel  principles, 
where  it  was  held  up  tliat  the  Scriptures  were  uncertain  records, 
and  that  the  idea  of  the  Divinity  of  Christ  was  a  foolish  one, 
and  that  there  was  no  future  punishment ;  this  pleased  me ;  I 
wished  to  have  it  so,  and  I  laid  hold  of  it  willingly,  endeavor- 
ing to  soothe  all  my  feelings,  in  hopes  it  was  so.  But  it  was  a 
length  of  time  before  I  could  make  myself  believe  this  doctrine. 
Still  the  inexpressible  anguish  of  my  soul  went  along  with  me, 
nor  could  I  reconcile  my  mind  to  the  idea,  until  I  concluded 
that  all  the  openings  and  impressions  I  had  felt,  and  what  I  had 
seen,  were  the  effect  of  dubious  stories,  which  my  parents  had 
told  me.  When  fixed  in  this  idea,  it  seemed  as  though  all  light 
left  me,  and  I  had  little  or  no  power,  to  govern  my  temper,  or  - 
tongue.  Of  all  states  that  I  had  ever  witnessed  for  hardness  of 
heart,  and  of  being  void  of  any  comfortable  feeling,  this  exceed- 
ed them.  My  distress  for  a  while  was  indescribable ;  yet  I  went 
on  to  vindicate  the  doctrine,  until  I  believed  it.  Gross  dark- 
ness, indeed !  where  neither  sun,  moon,  nor  starlight,  are  seen. 


28  JOURNAL    OF 

In  this  state  I  took  my  career  in  merriment  and  mirth — and  ia 
this  way  soothed  my  feehngs  as  well  as  I  conld,  concluding  all 
was  well ;  and,  though  my  mind  was  considerably  lulled  into  a 
state  of  imagined  security,  yet  anguish  kept  along  with  me,  and 
oftentimes  my  days  were  wearisome,  and  mj  nights  tedi-- 
ous.  Yet,  through  all  this  bewildered  state  I  was  favored  with 
a  view  of  honor  which  kept  me  from  gross  evils,,  or  from  injur- 
ing my  fellow  creatures,  either  in  interest  or  character. 

When  about  thirteen  years  of  age,  (I  think  it  was),  I  was 
sent  to  mill,  and  while  the  grain  was  grinding,  the  miller,  who 
was  an  old  man,  and  two  others,  (aged  men),  fell  into  discourse 
about  a  travelling  Minister,  who  had  been  amongst  them,  of  the 
Methodist  belief.  They  all  agreed  that  he  was  an  able  Minis- 
ter, and  had  preached  several  good  sermons  in  that  part  of  the 
country.  They  believed  the  Lord  sent  him  to  preach,  but  that 
m  their  neighborhood  he  said  but  little,  and  informed  the  peo- 
ple that  he  could  not  preach  any  more,  and  dismissed  them, 
which  disappointed  them  very  much.  Tliey  thought  it  was  not 
right,  and  that  he  ought  to  be  talked  to.  They  agreed  among 
themselves  which  of  the  three  should  talk  to  him. 

As  I  sat  listening,  in  a  deep  muse,  a  solemn  feeling  came 
over  my  mind,  and  I  felt  a  forcible  motion  to  go  and  speak  to 
them,  and  I  believe  the  Lord  required  it  of  me.  I  hesitated 
a  little,  but  fearing  to  delay,  I  walked  up  to  them,  and  I  think 
nearly  in  these  words,  addressed  them  :  "  You  are  old  men,  and 
I  have  been  hearing  you  talk  about  the  Minister,  who  you  be- 
lieve the  Lord  sent  amongst  you.**  They  answered,  "  they  did 
believe  so."  I  replied,  "then  I  have  something  on  my  mind 
to  say  to  you,"  and  proceeded,  "  If  the  Lord  sent  him,  He 
knew  best  where  He  wanted  him  to  preach ;  and  it  was  certain 
that  the  Lord  knew  the  states  of  all  the  people,  and  knew  what 
to  give  him  to  preach  that  would  be  suitable  for  the  people, 
and  how  much;  and  if  he  preached  any  more  it  would  only  be 
man-pi*eaching,  and  might  not  be  suitable  to  the  state  of  any 
one  in  the  meeting.  They  ought  to  be  careful  how  they  med- 
dle with  the  man,  seeing  it  was  his  duty  to  mind  the  Lord  who 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  2U 

sent  him  out ;  and  if  by  their  talking  to  him,  he  should  preach 
more  than  the  Lord  gave  him  to  preach,  then  he  would  turn 
from  pleasing  the  Lord,  to  please  man,  and  this  might  offend 
the  Lord ;  that  He  might  take  his  gift  in  the  Ministry  from  him, 
and  wha/t  on  evil  that  would  be  to  the  man,  and  an  injury  to 
the  cause  of  God.  But  if  they  saw  anything  in  the  Minister's 
conduct  that  was  not  right,  then  it  was  their  duty  to  talk 
to  him  and  show  him  his  error,  and  in  that  way  they  might  be 
a  help  to  keep  him  right.  I  thought  they  had  better  leave 
him  to  the  Lord,  who  they  believed  had  sent  him  out,  than  to 
meddle  with  him  in  any  other  way."  I  then  stopped  and 
turned  from  them,  feeling  my  mind  relieved  and  filled  with 
peace.  Not  long  after  this,  two  of  those  men  came  to  my  fath- 
er's ;  ,one  of  them  related  to  him  the  occurrence  with  this  re- 
mark— that  in  all  his  life,  he  never  met  with  such  a  stroke ;  to 
think  that  such  a  child  of  my  age  and  looks  should  be  able  to 
teach  him,  and  it  was  the  truth  which  he  had  not  seen 
into  before ;  and  he  had  not  dared  to  say  to  the  Minister  what 
he  intended.  I  may  remark  that  I  went  up  to  these  men  with 
no  other  view  than  to  say  to-  them  what  came  into  my  mind, 
and  I  found  no  want  of  words  or  matter ;  thus  witnessing,  that 
though  a,  .child,  when  I  was  obedient  to  the  Lord,  he  was 
strength  in  a  weak  child — wisdom  and  utterance  in  the  needful 
time — blessed  be  His  holy  name. 

Another  occurrence  took  place  (I  think),  when  L  was  be- 
tween seventeen  and  eighteen  years  of  age.  I  went  to  see  an 
aunt  of  mine,  whose  eldest  child,  (a  daughter),  had  wanted  to 
go  for  some  time  to  see  a  great  uncle  of  ours.  My  aunt  con- 
cluded if  I  would  wait  on  her,  and  see  her  safe  home,  she  might 
go.  Accordingly,  the  next  day  we  set  out.  It  was  a  time  of 
life  when  at  times  I  indulged  myself  in  such  conversation  as 
promoted  merriment  in  company.  In  this  way  I  entertained 
my  cousin  most  of  the  way  going;  but  on  our  return  we  had 
not  travelled  far,  before  we  were  overtaken  by  a  man,  who  soon 
fell  upon  me,  censuring  the  Quakers  in  strong  terms  because  they 
would  not  fight.     It  was  during  the   revolutionary   war,  and 


30  JOURNAL    OF 

criticaj  times  in  that  part  of  the  country.  I  heard  him  pretty 
much  through,  by  which  time  I  felt  my  mind  closely  arrested 
with  an  uneasy  feeling,  that  the  principles  of  Truth,  and  the  peo- 
ple that  I  believed  were  faithful  to  them  should  be  so  censured, 
though  I  felt  conscious  that  I  was  not  one  of  the  faithful,  which 
at  that  time  I  forcibly  felt.  Yet,  notwithstanding  my  embar- 
rassed state  of  mind,  the  Lord,  I  believed,  for  the  sake  of  His 
own  name,  and  the  tender  regard  he  had  for  his  faithful 
ones,  so  touched  my  mind,  (though  I  was  hardly  sensi- 
ble what  it  was),  that  I  felt  as  if  I  could  not  hold  my  tongue 
any  longer,  let  the  consequence  be  what  it  would.  As  I  com- 
menced, all  fear  was  taken  away,  words  flowed  readily,  and  I 
was  enabled  to  show  the  difference  between  the  law  and  the 
Gospel ;  to  open  to  him  our  principles,  give  him  our  reasons 
for  them,  and  prove  them  by  many  scripture  texts,  and  finally 
to  show  him  that  it  was  impossible  for  a  true  Quaker  to  be 
either  Whig,  or  Tory,  for  that  implied  opposite  parties,  and 
both  believed  in  war,  and  Friends  did  not.  By  this  time,  the 
man  became  so  tender,  that  with  tears  running  down  his 
cheeks,  he  acknowledged  our  reasons  were  good,  and  that  our 
principles  were  right,  and  wished  Friends  would  keep  to  them ; 
if  they  did,  they  would  be  a  blessing  to  the  world.  This  re- 
mark came  home  to  my  feelings.  He  added,  that  he  was  fifty- 
five  years  of  age,  and  never  saw  these  things  before  ;  that  it  was 
marvellous  to  him,  and  he  believed  there  must  be  great  wisdom 
amongst  the  Quakers,  for  so  young  a  man  to  know  so  much. 
He  urged  me  to  go  home  with  him  ;  I  informed  him  I  could 
not.  When  we  parted  with  him  he  gave  me  his  hand,  wished 
me  well,  desired  me  to  remember  him  and  pray  for  him. 
This  thought  went  through  me  like  a  sword,  "  how  can  I  pray 
for  thee,  when  I  neglect  to  pray  for  myself? " 

As  I  turned  from  this  man  I  discovered  a  man  who  had  been 
riding  behind  us  several  miles,  unperceived  by  me.  He  sud- 
denly rode  alongside,  and  exclaimed,  "  I  am  glad  to  hear  you 
bang  ofi"  that  old  Whig  so,  for  he  is  an  old  rebel,  an  enemy  to 
his   King,  and  it   is  good  enough   for  him."     I   turned,   and 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  31 

looked  him  full  in  tlie  face,  It  came  forcibly  into  my  mind, 
"  Thou  art  a  tavern  hunter,  and  one  of  the  vilest  men."  I  soon 
replied,  "  I  believe  thou  art  mistaken  in  me,  for  I  can  no  more 
be  a  Tory  than  a  Whig."  He  said,  "  why  ? "  I  replied,  that, 
"  before  the  war,  our  country  got  much  filled  up  with  a 
sort  of  men  that  hung  about  the  taverns,  and  practised  card 
playing,  cock-fighting,  horse-racing,  and  getting  drank;  and 
then  would  go  home  and  abuse  their  families;  they  were 
equally  met  and  agreed  in  the  service  of  the  devil,  and  of  course 
were  his  children.  The  Lord  had  suffered  an  evil  spirit  to  di- 
vide them,  for  they  corrupted  the  land ;  and  now,  one  part  had 
taken  side  for  the  King,  and  the  other  for  the  country ;  both 
parties  were  still  in  the  same  practices,  standing  on  the  beasts' 
head  before  the  war,  they  stand  on  the  beasts'  head  now, 
only  they  have  become  divided  into  two  horns,  that  push 
one  another.  And  I  believed  thai  in  this  way  the  Lord 
was  purging  our  land,  and  the  two  horns  would  have  to 
go  down  into  hell,  with  the  beast :  for  these  reasons  I  could 
not  be  a  Tory  nor  Whig."  He  rode  off  whistling,  and  left  us. 
My  cousin  then  came  up,  and  with  a  serious  look,  said  to  mc 
in  substance,  "  Joseph,  almost  all  the  way  going  to  uncle's,  thou 
kept  me  laughing  with  thy  nonsense,  and  now  thou  cans't  talk 
like  an  angel,  set  the  first  man  crying,  and  the  last  one,  thou 
hast  pictured  out  as  correctly  as  I  could,  who  have  lived  by 
him  all  my  days ;  he  is  a  neighbor  to  father,  and  is  called  a 
fighter,  card-player,  horse-racer,  and  is  a  great  drunkard,  and 
follows  other  wicked  practices.  Thou  hast  been  talking  to 
him  like  a  Minister ;  what  can  I  think  of  thee  ? "  These  sim- 
ple remarks,  went  through  me  like  the  arrow  that  was  thrown 
at  a  venture  ;  it  cut  me  so  close  that  I  had  to  sink  down,  reas- 
oning with  myself,  sure  enough,  what  am  I  ?  and  as  I  sank 
down  in  my  mind,  I  felt  the  weight  of  my  folly.  After  a 
while  it  was  opened  to  me  in  the  Light,  and  with  such  clear- 
ness, that  I  had  no  power  to  disbelieve,  that  the  Lord  put  a 
word  in  Balaam's  mouth  to  deliver  to  the  Midianites  and  Moa- 
bites,  though  his  heart  was  not  right  before  the  Lord ;  not- 


32  JOURNAL    OF 

■withstanding  he  was  highly  favored,  yet  he  did  not  give  up  to 
cleave  unto  the  Lord  with  all  his  heart,  and  keep  to  the  word 
he  had  spoken  to  the  people  ;  therefore  the  Lord  cut  him  off. 
And  now  the  Lord  had  put  a  word  in  my  mouth  for  those 
men  for  the  upholding  of  the  Truth  in  the  earth  and  the  hon- 
our of  his  own  name  ;  though  my  heart  was  not  right  before 
Him  ;  and  if  I  did  not  cleave  to  the  Lord  with  my  whole 
heart,  and  keep  to  the  word  spoken,  the  time  was  coming 
when  I  should  be  cut  off  as  Balaam  was. 

The  force  of  this  solemn  subject  turned  my  jovialness  into 
seriousness,  and  my  merriment  into  heaviness  of  heart ;  yet 
while  I  mourned  over  my  own  folly,  I  marvelled  at  the  wisdom, 
goodness,  and  tender  mercy  of  the  Almighty  towards  me,  in 
awakening  me,  and  instructing  me  in  such  a  wonderful  man- 
ner.    Adored  and  praised  for  ever,  be  His  holy  name  1 

In  this  way,  I  struggled  along,  till  near  eighteen  years  of  age, 
when  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  send  his  faithful  servant,  Abel 
Thomas,  into  our  parts,  who,  in  a  large  meeting,  addressed  a 
single  state,  and  was  enabled  to  speak  to  my  condition  so  clear- 
ly that  I  could  not  deny  a  word,  commencing  with  the  first  of 
my  religious  life,  to  the  condition  I  was  then  in,  more  correctly 
than  I  could  have  done,  and  clearly  informed  me  what  I  had 
departed  from,  showing,  that  that  was  the  cause  of  the  distress 
I  had  undergone.  Then  he  took  hold  of  my  infidel  principles, 
fixed  his  eyes  in  my  face,  and  to  me,  in  a  wonderful  manner, 
unfolded  my  reasonings,  laid  waste  all  my  arguments,  then 
warned  me  in  a  solemn  manner,  to  return  to  the  Truth  from 
which  I  had  departed,  and  closed  his  testimony  with  these 
words :  "That  Jesus,  whom  thou  hast  denied,  has  revealed  to  me 
thy  state  and  condition." 

Finding,  after  meeting,  that  he  had  traveled  a  number  of 
miles  to  reach  it,  and  had  lodged  far  from  the  meeting  place  ; 
he  had  no  chance  to  get  any  outward  knowledge  of  any  state 
amongst  us — this  increased  the  weight  of  his  testimony  on  my 
mind,  and  so  convinced  me,  that  it  overthrew  all  my  castle,  and 
I  durst  not  trust  in  it  any  longer. 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  33 

I  went  into  tlie  woods,  and  wept  until  I  could  weep  no  lon- 
ger. Now,  the  potent  enemy  ef  all  happiness,  poured  in  upon 
my  mind,  a  mighty  flood  of  reasoning,  thus — that  this  Friend 
was  not  sent  for  my  salvation,  but  only  to  stop  me  from  holding 
up  blasphemous  principles,  so  that  I  should  not  deceive  others  ; 
it  was  for  their  sakes  and  not  mine,  that  he  was  sent,  and  that 
I  had  blasphemed  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost ;  for  the 
spirit  I  had  felt  striving  in  me,  reproving  for  sin,  was  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  there  was  no  mercy  for  me ;  for  the  justice  and  ho- 
liness of  God,  would  never  be  reconciled  to  such  a  monster  as 
I  was. 

These  thoughts  sunk  me  below  all  hope.  I  became  so  dis- 
ordered, that  I  was  watched  day  and  night,  and  was  tempted 
to  hang'  myself.  Sleep  went  from  me,  my  stomach  refused 
food,  I  pined  away  like  one  in  a  decline,  for  my  distress  and 
horror  were  beyond  the  scope  of  language  to  set  forth.  I  fan- 
cied I  saw  the  regions  of  endless  torment  ready  to  receive  me, 
so  that  many  times  I  started,  fearing  that  I  heard  the  devil 
coming  to  carry  me  away  bodily.  In  this  situation  I  remained 
a  number  of  weeks. 

Now,  dear  children,  stop  and  reflect ;  behold  what  I  passed 
through  for  departing  from  the  truth,  and  letting  in  unbelief. 
Let  it  be  a  warning  to  you.  My  cravings  are  that  another  may 
never  experience  the  like  distress.  The  above  named  Friends, 
Abel  and  James  Thomas,  passing  to  the  southward  went  through 
our  Yearly  Meeting  expecting  to  go  home  from  Lon'g  Island. 
Instead  of  finding  themselves  at  liberty  to  return,  they  felt  their 
minds  forcibly  arrested  to  come  back  more  than  a  hundred 
miles,  to  attend  our  Quarterly  Meeting  to  be  held  at  Oblong, 
where  father  had  taken  me,  fearing  to  leave  me  at  home. 
When  they  came  into  the  meeting  I  was  exceedingly  shocked, 
concluding  they  had  now  come  to  denounce  my  final  doom. 

After  sitting  awhile,  Abel  arose  and  brought  into  view  the 
state  he  had  been  led  to  feel  for  when  in  our  land  before,  and 
in  a  feeling  manner,  declared  that  he  perceived  the  enemy  had 
taken  advantage  of  the  poor  penitent,  and  had  made  him  be- 


34  JOURNAL    OF 

lieve  the  Lord  had  no  mercy  for  him,  and  that  his  damnation 
was  sealed.  He  continued,  the  enemy  is  a  Uar  and  was  so  from 
the  beginning ;  for  whom  Gfod  cast  off  he  no  longer  strove  with ; 
thererefore,  while  the  strivings  of  His  Spirit  are  felt  to  caution 
against  evil,  it  is  an  evid^ce  that  the  day  of  mercy  is  yet  con- 
tinued ;  that  if  the  manifestations  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ  within 
are  faithfully  obeyed^  a  submission  of  self  to  the  Lord's  disposal, 
in  life,  or  in  death,  patiently  enduring  the  needful  baptisms, 
submitting  to  the  chastening  of  the  rod  that  is  lifted  up,  and 
acknowledging  the  justice  of  the  hand  that  shakes  it,  the  days 
shall  come  when  the  individual  will  have  to  go  forth  and  tell 
what  great  things  the  Lord  has  done  for  his  soul. 

When  this  was  spoken,  I  said  to  myself,  it  is  enough,  I  now 
believe.  He  stopped  as  though  he  had  heard  me  speak,  and 
turned  to  another  subject,  not  afterw^ards  resuming  the  former 
one.  These  two  sermons  occasioned  much  reasoning  in  the 
minds  of  Friends,  it  being  thought  there  was  no  such  state 
present ;  but  he  being  a  stranger  they  let  him  pass  without  in- 
timating their  doubts.  May  this  remark  be  a  caution  to  all  to 
whom  these  lines  may  come,  to  let  that  alone  which  they  know 
nothing  about ;  for  the  Lord  had  a  witness,  and  the  arrow  was 
directed  to  the  right  place. 

I  returned  home,  feeling  much  more  composed  in  mind,  but 
it  was  not  long  before  trouble  poured  down  upon  me  like  a 
mighty  torrect.  Finding  the  company  of  my  former  associates 
a  grief*and  a  snare,  I  relinquished  it,  upon  which  they  raised 
many  false  reports  and  insinuations,  which  prejudiced  the 
minds  of  many  elderly  and  some  worthy  Friends,  so  that  I  had 
to  bear  the  ridicule  of  the  young  and  the  censure  of  the  older 
ones.  One  woman  who  sat  upon  the  high  seat,  came  forward 
^nd  declared  to  my  face,  that  she  saw  me  do  what  I  had  never 
done  or  thought  of  doing,  yet  she, testified  to  it  with  such  as- 
surance that  she  was  believed,  and  I  was  judged  to  be  a  liar. 
This  seemed  as  though  it  would  take  my  life.  I  thought  for 
a  while  she  had  effected  that  which  she  had  said  she  would ; 
wlaich  was  that  »h«  would  destroy  my  credit,  and  more  so  when 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  35 

I  met  with  cool  countenance  and  shy  carriage  from  those  to 
whom  I  looked  for  sympathy  and  counsel.  This  so  unsettled 
my  mind,  that  when  I  thought  of  her,  the  saintish  appearance 
she  made,  where  she  sat,  and  how  she  had  deceived  Friends,  I 
was  almost  induced  to  think  the  Lord  would  not  have  any- 
thing to  do  with  such  a  people  but  to  condemn  them,  under 
which  feelings  I  mostly  refrained  from  attending  their  meet- 
ings, except  when  urged  by  my  parents,  wandering  about  in 
solitary  places  to  make  my  moan  before  the  Lord,  and  fre- 
quently attending  the  meetings  of  all  other  societies  in  my  vi- 
cinity, in  order  to  find  a  comfortable  home  among  some  of 
them.  While  in  this  search,  I  attended  the  Baptist  worship 
several  times,  and  my  mind  was  much  caught  by  water  bap- 
tism ;  which  exercised  me  much,  and  I  was  thoughtful  of  being 
plunged  ;  and  while  waiting  to  ff^el  an  impression  in  my  mind 
thereto,  I  felt  unusually  drawn  to  attend  Friends'  meetings 
again.  Soon  after  I  took  my  seat,  these  words  came  into  my 
mind,  "He  shall  baptize  you  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with 
fire,  whose  fan  is  in  his  hand,  and  he  will  thoroughly  purge  his 
floor,  and  gather  his  wheat  into  the  garner ;  but  he  will  burn 
up  the  chaff  with  unquenchable  fire."  This  continued  with 
me  through  the  meeting.  When  I  went  out,  the  subject  left 
me,  and  I  thQught  no  more  of  it  until  I  took  my  seat  in  the 
next  meeting,  when  it  again  revived,  and  continued  through 
this  as  in  the  former  meeting,  when  it  left  tae  as  before. 

At  the  next  meeting,  the  same  passage  was  again  presented 
to  my  view,  and  I  queried,  what  does  tins  mean  that  this  text 
should  continue  with  me  during  three  successive  meetings  ?  It 
then  opened  as  clear  to  my  mind,  as  the  bright  beams  of  the 
sun,  that  the  Holy  Ghost  was  nothing  more  or  less  than  the 
Holy  Spirit,  for  ghost  is  spirit,  and  God  is  Spirit,  and  all  spirit, 
and  that  the  soul  of  man  was  the  spirit  which  derived  its  being 
from  the  creative  breath  of  the  Ahnighty,  and  was  designed,  if 
obedient  to  the  will  of  its  Maker,  to  become  an  inhabitant  of 
heaven,  and  enjoy  His  glory.  That  God,  tvho  was  all  spirit, 
self-existing,  uncreated,  was  the  Creator  of  all  elements  ;  com- 


36  JOURNAL    OF 

posed  them  with  matter  far  beneath  Himself,  and  placed  them 
far  below,  yet  it  was  He  who  sustained  them. 

It  appeared  clear  to  me,  that  as  all  matter,  all  elements,  were 
dependant  on  Spirit  for  the  continuation  of  their  being,  it  was 
not  in  the  power  of  the  lesser  to  comprehend  or  penetrate  the 
greater ;  and  of  course,  the  soul  having  derived  its  being  from 
God,  it  was  a  created  spirit,  and  therefore,  superior  to  all  ele- 
ments, being  created  for  eternal  being,  and  designed  to  become 
an  inhabitant  of  heaven,  which  the  elements  never  were  ;  there- 
fore, the  produce  of  the  earth,  could  feed  the  body,  but  it  could 
not  feed  the  soul :  Waters  could  wash  and  purify  the  flesh,  but 
could  not  reach  the  soul,  the  spirit  in  man,  to  which  the  Al- 
mighty giveth  understanding. 

It  appeared  clear  that  John,  being  under  a  divine  mission, 
and  under  the  influence  of  God's  Spirit,  saw  through  this  mys- 
tery, which  had  been  hid  for  many  ages  of  ^e  world,  and  felt 
himself  authorized  to  cry,  "  He  that  cometh  after  me  shall 
baptize  you  with  the  Holy  Ghost,"  etc.,  which  is  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Here  it  appears  clear  that  the  spirit  which  brought  the 
soul  into  being,  which  the  elements  had  no  concern  in  doing, 
was  the  only  power  which  could  restore  a  sick  soul  to  health, 
or  a  wounded  one  to  a  healed  state.  These  views  brought  my 
mind  into  solemn  thoughtfulness,  and  this  language  ran  through 
it  —  the  Holy  Sph'it  is  also  the  Grace  of  God,  and  the  Spirit 
of  God  in  creation  acted  independently  of  any  other  source, 
so  the  Spirit  of  God  acteth  independent  of  all  elements,  in  the 
regeneration  of  men. 

For  any  one  who  had  been  regenerated,  born  again,  or 
formed  anew  in  Christ,  to  be  baptized  with  water,  would  be 
like  some  formerly,  who  began  in  the  spirit,  and  turned  to  the 
weak  and  beggarly  elements,  thinking  to  perfect  their  happi- 
ness thereby,  which  an  apostle  under  the  influence  and  direc- 
tion of  the  Spirit  of  God  reproved  them  for.  Being  much  re- 
lieved from  the  entanglements  of  ceremonies,  I  felt  an  increas- 
ing concern  to  attend  the  meetings  of  Friends ;  and  I  was  soon 
forcibly  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  appearing  in  public 


JOSEPH    HO  AG.  87 

testimony  from  time  to  time,  but  fearing  it  was  a  transforma- 
tion of  the  evil  one,  I  felt  if  I  did  so  appear,  it  would  be 
rejected  by  Friends,  and  I  should  be  censured  by  them,  I  put 
it  off  until  my  life  became  a  burden,  and  was  tempted  to  put 
an  end  to  it.  At  length,  I  gave  up,  and  spoke  a  few  words, 
and  found  my  mind  much  relieved  and  comforted. 

My  public  appearance  so  disUirbed  my  old  associates  in  folly, 
that  an  own  cousin  spread  a  falsehood  about  me,  of  such  a  na- 
ture as  to  cause,  my  being  visited  by  the  overseers.  This  laid 
me  under  the  necessity  of  proving  the  falsity  of  his  story ;  yet 
he  was  not  dealt  with,  and  I  was  barely  discharged,  This  so 
discouraged  me,  that  I  did  not  dare  to  open  my  mouth  in  that 
way  again  during  twelve  months. 

When  my  cousin  saw  the  effect  it  had,  he  boasted  that  he 
had  stopped  me  from  preaching,  which  was  what  he  intended; 
but  oh,  the  anguish  of  my  soul,  I  have  no  language  to  describe. 
Yet  I  was  favored  with  the  resolution  to  go  no  more  with 
such  company,  whatever  my  sufferings  might  be,  even  if  it 
took  my  natural  life  ;  which  at  times  I  thought  it  would.  But 
I  was  favored  to  stand  my  ground,  so  that  this  storm  seemed 
a  little  to  pass  over,  and  I  began  to  hope,  although  it  soon 
appeared  that  my  cup  of  suffering  was  not  yet  full. 

Sometime  after  Abel  Thomas  returned  from  his  visit  to  our 
parts,  it  was  presented  to  my  mind,  that  if  I  would  curse  God, 
my  father  and  mother,  and  the  Bible,  I  should  be  happy  as 
long  as  I  lived ;  if  I  would  not  do  this  I  #hould  never  be  happy 
in  this  world,  and  as  for  future  happiness  it  was  out  of  all 
question,  for  I  should  never  obtain  it,  it  was  not  for  me  ;  and 
I  had  better  be  happy  while  I  lived,  than  never  to  be  so. 
These  thoughts  surprised  me ;  I  endeavored  to  put  them  out 
of  my  mind,  but  all  in  vain  ;  they  continued  to  roll  in  upon  me 
with  such  a  weight  of  darkness  that  I  was  so  confused  as  to  be 
very  near  deranged.  It  was  then  presf^nted  to  me  that  God 
never  suffered  any  of  His  to  feel  the  torment  that  I  did,  and  I 
should  never  feel  any  better  unless  I  cursed  Him  ;  that  would 
relieve  me.     I  strove  to  put  these  and  the  like  thoughts  out  of 


88  JOURNAL    OF 

my  mind;  but  in  vain.  I  called  to  remembrance  all  I  could 
think  of  to  strengthen  my  mind  against  the  temptation,  and 
reasoned  thus :  if  I  curse  God  I  shall  surely  be  miserable  ;  it 
is  in  His  power  to  make  me  miserable  in  time  and  eternity ; 
and  no  power  could  hinder  Him  from  doing  what  He  would. 
I  had  sinned  enough  and  had  enough  to  answer  for  without 
adding  to  the  dreadful  account ;  therefore  I  could  not  do  this 
dreadful  evil  and  sin  against  God.  And  I  reasoned,  where  can 
any  comfort  come  but  from  God?  It  then  rushed  into  my 
mind  like  a  flash  of  lightning,  and  I  thought  with  the  terror  of 
thunder,  that  if  I  would  curse  God,  he  would  leave  me,  and  I 
could  then  join  with  those  who  had  familiar  spirits.  These, 
and  the  like  thoughts  were  so  perpetual  that  it  seemed  as 
though  I  could  not  obtain  a  moment's  relief  from  them,  and 
thought  I  should  go  into  endless  misery.  This  took  away  my 
appetite,  and  I  durst  not  sleep  more  than  nature  compelled  me 
to.  I  walked  the  house  nights,  and  kept  my  feelings  to  myself 
as  much  as  I  could  day-times ;  thinking  if  I  must  go  in  that 
condition  I  would  secrete  it  from  my  parents,  lest  it  should 
add  to  their  affliction  through  life.  My  distress  was  dreadful ; 
I  grew  weak  and  unable  for  business;  my  face  became 
pale  and  my  eyes  had  a  strange  appearance ;  when  the  neigh- 
bors saw  me  they  would  ask,  what  ailed  me  ?  and  remark,  that 
I  looked  as  though  I  was  going  to  die,  and  that  my  eyes  looked 
ghastly ;  which  but  heightened  my  misery  and  confirmed  my 
thoughts.  My  parents  often  asked,  what  the  matter  was  with 
me  ;  but  I  kept  all  to  myself. 

This  temptation  continued  fourteen  days  and  nights,  when 
finding  my  strength  so  far  gone  that  I  thought  I  could  not 
keep  on  my  feet  any  longer,  I  laid  down  thinking  it  was  likely 
one  hour  would  close  the  scene  with  me ;  when  I  should  find  my- 
self amongst  the  miserable.  Soon  after  lying  down  I  felt  such 
a  weight  come  upon  me  that  I  could  not  stir,  and  thought  I 
heard  as  plain  and  intelligible  a  whisper  as  ever  I  heard  from  a 
human  being,  to  this  effect :  "  surrender,  or  you  shall  die  in  a 
minute,  and  go  to  the  place  of  endless  torment."     I  replied, 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  39 

^*  I  cannot  do  that,  I  never  will  curse  God,  if  I  lose  my  life.  I 
Lave  enough  to  answer  for  without  that  terrible  sin  ; "  for  it 
struck  me  with  horror  at  first,  and  so  continued  through  the 
whole  trial.  When  it  appeared  as  though  my  breath  was 
going  from  me,  and  I  looked  for  every  breath  to  be  the  last, 
I  felt  this  language  as  the  last  tribute,  I  should  ever  have  the 
opportunity  to  ofter,  "  Our  Father  who  art  in  Heaven,  hallow- 
ed be  thy  name,  thy  Kingdom  come,  Thy  will  be  done  on 
earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven ;  give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread,  and 
forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  them  that  trespass 
against  us ;  and  leave  us  not  in  temptation,  but  deliver  from 
the  evil  thereof;  for  thine  is  the  kingdom,  the  power,  and  the 
glory,  forevermore.  Amen."  I  gladly  embraced  it,  and  as 
it  passed  through  my  mind,  the  weight  went  off  me,  and  the 
cloud  of  darkness  with  it.  My  mind  was  at  once  composed 
and  seemed  filled  with  the  joys  of  Paradise.  I  found  it  best 
to  keep  still,  for  I  saw  there  was  danger  of  being  carried  away 
with  the  rapture. 

Great  was  my  peace  for  several  days,  and  I  had  many  clear, 
lieavenly  openings  in  the  vision  of  light,  in  which  there  is  no 
deception.  This  strengthened  my  mind,  for  it  was  showed 
me  that  the  Redeemer  gave  His  life  for  me,  and  my  love  to 
Him  was  not  proved  until  I  had  given  up  my  life  rather  than 
deny  Him;  that  the  Lord's  prayer  was  prepared  for  meat 
that  time  and  His  Power  was  with  it.  This  was  the  only  of- 
fering that  could  possibly  find  acceptance  with  the  Father 
from  me,  and  all  who  ever  entered  the  Kingdom  must  go 
through  great  tribulations,  and  have  their  faith  and  love  thor- 
oughly tried,  that  they  might  come  forth  like  gold,  seven  times 
tried  in  the  furnace,,  weighty  and  pure,  fit  for  the  Kingdom  ; 
and  they  that  endured  not  the  furnace  were  not  accounted 
worthy  to  be  entrusted  with  the  mysteries  of  the  kingdom  of 
Heaven,  or  to  enjoy  the  felicity  of  its  glory. 

It  was  not  a  great  while,  before  my  father  sent  me  to  a 
neighbour's  house,  (who  were  'members,  and  sat  on  the  high 
s.eatS;  and  mads  a  grave  appearance),  just.]»dfor8  sunset,  to 


40  JOURNAL    Oi" 

borrow  a  tool.  They  were  going  to  tea ;  they  pressingly 
urged  me  to  partake  with  them,  which  I  consented  to.  After 
supping,  I  made  a  move  to  go  home  ;  but  the  young  people 
persuaded  me  to  stay,  and  talk  with  them  a  little,  which  I 
yielded  to,  against  my  feelings,  thinking  I  might  offend  if  I 
did  not.  But  0  !  how  dangerous  is  our  reasoning,  as  the  fol- 
lowing will  show.  I  had  not  sat  long  with  them,  before  I  was 
invited  to  an  out-house  about  five  rods  distant.  When  I  rose 
to  go  with  them,  it  came  to  my  mind  to  turn  and  go  home ; 
but  not  heeding  the  motion,  I  went  with  them.  As  I  came  to 
the  door,  this  language  ran  through  my  mind — there  is  an 
All-seeing  Eye  that  will  bring  to  an  account  for  all  this — yet  I 
stepped  in,  and  this  language  followed — how  would  thy  father 
feel  if  he  knew  of  this,  whose  prayers  have  been  for  thee,  when 
thine  eyes  have  been  closed  in  sleep.  This  shocked  me,  al- 
most to  trembling,  but  it  was  too  late,  the  door  was  shut  and 
guarded,  and  I  had  no  way  to  escape ;  so  I  walked  across  the 
room  and  sat  down,  and  did  not  rise  until  they  broke  up. 
They  soon  began,  and  went  on  with  their  dance,  which  con- 
tinued till  near  break  of  day.  Here  I  found  1  ought  to  bear 
testimony  against  their  conduct,  but  forbore,  much  to  the 
wounding  of  the  little  peace  I  now  and  then  enjoyed ;  but 
went  home,  concluding  to  keep  all  this  to  myself;  thinking,  if 
I  told  of  it',  as  they  were  all  children  of  Friends,  except  one, 
and  several  of  their  parents  were  ministers,  and  I  think  elders, 
and  overseers,  that  they  would  deny  it  and  throw  the  scandal 
of  a  falsehood  upon  me.  And  I  was  not  mistaken,  for  the  girl 
that  did  not  belong  among  Friends,  told  of  it.  It  soon  got 
among  Friends,  and  the  overseers  took  it  up.  This  made  an 
alarm  ;  my  father  examined  me  several  times,  but  I  kept  all  to 
myself.  But  to  find  the  truth  of  the  business,  he  sent  me  home 
with  the  borrowed  tool,  and  followed  so  close  after,  that  I  had 
not  time  to  get  out  of  the  house,  before  he  came  in,  and  or- 
dered me  to  sit  down.  I  obeyed,  dreading  what  was  coming. 
He  soon  opened  the  subject,  and  informed  the  family  who  his 
author  was ;  they  all  denied  the  fact,  and  called  upon  me  to  do 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  41 

SO,  which  I  could  not  do.  The  mother  of  the  family  asserted 
that  she  sat  where  she  saw  and  heard  all  that  was  said  and 
done  ;  and  added,  that  there  was  neither  singing  nor  dancing, 
nor  any  unbecoming  behavior.  This  pierced  me  to  the  heart ; 
she  being  a  woman  in  years,  and  sat  on  the  rising  seat  in  the 
front  of  the  meeting,  often  making  the  appearance  of  great 
tenderness.  But  I  was  more  shocked  when  she  said,  "God 
knew  there  was  no  such  conduct  there ; "  that  she  was  not 
afraid  to  appeal  to  the  Almighty  before  whom  she  expected  to 
appear  in  judgment,  and  it  would  be  a  dreadful  thing  for  her 
to  say  so  if  it  were  not  true.  When  this  came,  my  head  fell, 
yet  she  pressed  me  to  confirm  what  she  had  said,  but  I  kept 
silent.  When  we  got  away  father  remarked,  that  though  I 
said  nothing,  I  had  satisfied  him ;  for  when  she  called  on  God, 
my  head  and  countenance  fell,  by  which  he  perceived  I  had 
not  lost  all  my  feelings,  and  wished  me  to  keep  to  them. 

After  this,  the  overseers  being  in  pursuit  of  the  business,  came 
on  me,  for  the  young  people  (as  I  was  told  by  one  of  the  com- 
pany), had  all  agreed  to  deny  it,  which  they  did,  or  that  they 
had  ever  told  such  a  thing,  and  that  it  must  be  me,  and  what 
1  did  it  for  they  could  not  tell,  for  the  family  had  never  given  me 
any  occasion  of  offense  that  they  knew  of.  This  so  filled  the  over- 
seers, thati  was  severely  treated  by  them.  They  then  demanded 
me  to  tell  the  truth.  That  I  durst  not  do,  believing  if  I  did, 
1  must  be  disowned  as  a  liar ;  but  being  pressed,  I  answered 
them,  they  would  never  hear  me  say  there  was  no  dancing  at 
that  place,  and  I  did  not  think  they  would  ever  hear  me  say 
there  was.  This  they  called  equivocation,  and  concluded  to 
carry  a  complaint  against  me  to  the  meeting.  I  then  informed 
them  I  must  have  my  right,  and  see  ray  accuser  face  to 
face,  and  if  they  could  bring  any  person  who  would  say  they 
had  ever  heard  me  say  either  good  or  hurt  of  the  family,  I 
would  be  accountable  for  either,  and  until  that  was  done,  they 
paust  not  carry  a  complaint  against  me.  This  so  started  one 
qf  the  overseers  that 'he  reflected  on  me  severely;  the  other 
was  more  moderate.  They  proceeded  not  much  further  in  the 
3 


42  JOURNAL    OF 

business,  but  gave  it  as  their  judgment,  that  I  had  made,  and 
spread  that  false  report  about  that  family.  This  was  generally 
believed  through  the  Monthly  Meeting,  in-so-much  that  some 
of  the  elderly  Friends  who  sat  facing  the  meeting  refused  to 
give  me  their  hand. 

Meanwhile  these  wicked  young  people  would  laugh  and  jeer 
me,  to  see  it ;  and  had  not  the  Lord  helped  me,  I  believe  to 
this  day  that  my  natural  life  must  have  gone,  for  my  flesh 
wasted  away  as  though  I  had  had  a  fit  of  sickness.  Here  I 
think  right  to  remark  that  every  young  member  who  was  at 
the  dance,  was  disowned  from  society  within  five  years,  and 
within  seven  years  the  aged  woman  was  disowned  for  bearing 
false  witness,  and  her  husband  for  abuse  to  another  man. 

When  all  this  took  place,  I  could  be  believed.  In  these  oc- 
currences, a  discerning  eye  may  easily  see  the  goodness  of  Di- 
vine justice ;  for  though  my  back-sliding  merited  the  rod,  and 
the  Lord  permitted  these  objects  of  pity  to  pour  out  their  fury 
upon  me,  and  at  the  same  time  marvelously  to  preserve  me 
from  utter  ruin,  and  in  His  own  time,  after  humbling  me 
enough,  turned  my  captivity ;  and  in-as-much  as  my  accusers 
regarded  neither  truth,  justice  nor  mercy,  the  Lord  turned  on 
them  the  reproach  of  their  own  conduct,  and  they  that  dug  the 
pit  were  buried  therein. 

Now,  dear  children,  let  these  things  be  as  way-marks  to  you, 
and  remember  whatever  is  wrong  cannot  be  right,  for  the  Lord 
is  against  it ;  and  those  who  knowingly  do  wrong,  are  beaten 
with  many  stripes.  It  is  very  unwise  to  buy  trouble  at  so  dear  a 
rate ;  while  those  who  do  right  have  the  Lord  for  their  coun- 
sellor and  safeguard  in  all  the  vicissitudes  of  time,  for  while 
these  are  faithful  to  their  Maker's  will,  none  can  overthrow 
them.  The  deepest  afflictions  that  can  be  endured  or  come  on 
an  innocent  mind,  are  not  to  be  compared  with  the  distress  of 
a  wounded  and  guilty  conscience  before  the  Lord. 

Having  passed  through  the  above  described  combat,  and 
finding  myself  in  the  situation,  that  I  could  not  be  acceptable 
company  with  the  respectable  and  serious,  I  was  determined 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  43 

not  to  be  company  for  the  wicked,  and  the  mean  grades  of 
mankind ;  so  I  lived  almost  without  society  for  more  than  two 
years,  and  I  do  not  remember  of  going  for  a  visit  to  more  than 
three  houses  in  that  time,  one  of  which  I  visited  on  account  of 
a  young  woman,  who  afterwards  became  my  wife  ;  and  though 
my  visits  were  not  often,  but  regular,  I  think  I  kept  her  com- 
pany over  a  year  before  I  broached  the  subject  of  my  difficulty, 
thinking  she  must  have  heard  of  it ;  so  I  left  that  for  her  to  do 
until  I  thought  she  would  not ;  then  I  mentioned  it.  She  read- 
ily told  me  she  heard  of  it  all.  in  good  time,  and  was  press- 
ingly  advised  to  dismiss  me,  but  whenever  she  sat  down  still, 
and  thought  of  it,  it  seemed  always  clear  to  her  that  the  reports 
were  false  ;  and  the  reason  she  had  never  mentioned  it  to  me, 
was,  that  she  thought  I  had  trouble  enough  without  it. 

My  society  continued  to  be  mostly  at  my  father's  house.  I 
kept  steady  to  meetings,  often  walking  to  and  from  them  alone ; 
so  I  often  had  opportunity  for  serious  thought.  One  thing  I 
may  mention.  My  father  entertained  many  traveling  Friends 
and  others,  and  being  much  at  home,  I  was  ready  to  wait  on 
them  ;  my  conduct  was  strictly  watched.  In  the  course  of  one 
year,  several  of  our  leading  members  expressed  their  doubts  of 
the  reports  concerning  me.  I  was  not  seen  going  in  rude  com- 
pany to  or  from  meetings,  and  appeared  to  wait  on  Friends 
readily  and  with  pleasure,  and  to  love  their  company.  In  this 
may  be  seen,  when  good  conduct  is  pursued,  with  an  honest 
mind,  that  a  blessing  attends ;  it  pleads  its  own  cause.  Yet, 
I  carried  much  anguish  with  me,  night  and  day,  asleep  and 
awake.  Notwithstanding  all  these  commotions,  I  often  felt  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  upon  me,  and  a  necessity  laid  on  me  to  come 
forward  in  the  ministry,  but  reasoned  that  it  could  not  be  a 
right  call ;  for,  if  it  was,  there  would  be  a  way  open  for  it,  and 
now  there  was  not ;  so  I  endeavored  to  appease  my  feelings 
as  well  as  I  could,  but  the  woe  was  on  me  wherever  I  went. 

At  length  I  covenanted,  that  if  the  Lord  would  send  a  servant 
(who  knew  nothing  of  me)  to  come  and  tell  me  that  it  was  a 
right  call,  I  would  give  up  to  it.     I  rested  upon  this  awhile,  until 


44  JOURNi£L   OF 

I  began  to  conclude  I  should  get  clear  of  preaching,  and  what 
a  happy  thing  it  would  be,  for  there  was  nothing  in  the  line  of 
religion  that  I  viewed  with  so  much  horror  as  a  false  ministry. 
Thus,  I  rested  about  three  months,  when,  to  my  great  surprise, 
David  Sands  came  to  our  house,  and  almost  as  soon  as  he  en- 
tered the  door  he  singled  me  out,  and  not  only  told  me  that 
the  call  was  right,  but  took  hold  of  the  reasonings  and  difficul- 
ties I  had  passed  through  for  years,  more  correctly  than  I  could 
myself.  Then,  in  this  moving  language,  said,  "  as  sure  as  thou 
knowest  all  this  to  be  true,  so  sure  thy  exercise,  thy  concern, 
and  thy  call  is  right ;  and  if  thou  wilt  give  up  and  be  faithful,  the 
Lord  will  be  thy  strength,  and  thy  reward,  and  will  surely  carry 
thee  through  all  thy  straits ;  the  path  of  the  righteous  ever  was 
a  tribulated  one,  and  thou  hast  many  trials  to  pass  through, 
but  the  Lord  will  be  thy  leader,  and  thy  rearward ;  and  though 
the  mountains  surround  thee,  they  shall  be  removed ;  the  hills 
shall  be  laid  low,  and  the  deep  waters  shall  be  divided  for  the 
soles  of  thy  feet ;  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it." 
Here  he  closed. 

My  mind  was  much  broken,  my  reasonings  were  all  swal- 
lowed up ;  I  had  no  power  to  disbelieve.  My  heart  exclaimed, 
marvellous  !  marvellous  !  wonderful  are  Thy  dealings,  0  Lord  ! 
with  the  children  of  men  ;  and  Thy  ways  past  finding  out.  I 
then  concluded,  this  is  enough,  I  will  give  up  and  be  faithful ; 
yet  when  the  exercise  came  upon  me  in  meetings,  to  appear  in 
public  testimony,  being  exceedingly  fearful  that  I  should  not 
ncove  exactly  right,  I  sat  waiting  to  be  certain,  until  meet- 
ing broke,  and  then  I  was  shocked  in  mind.  In  this  way  I 
drooped  along  some  time,  until  I  verily  thought  I  could  not 
speak  a  word  if  I  tried,  and  begged  the  Lord  from  day  to  day 
to  take  my  life,  and  let  that  be  an  acceptable  sacrifice  in  room 
of  the  service.  At  length  the  Lord  showed  me,  in  a  clearness 
I  have  thought,  that  was  equal  to  Paul's  vision,  that  He  would 
take  from  me  my  life  in  Christ,  and  all  His  mercies,  and  they 
should  never  return  to  me  any  more,  and  that,  shortly,  if  I  did 
not  give  up  and  be  faithful.     He  had  granted  the  request,  and 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  45 

sign  which  I  had  asked,  and  I  had  not  kept  covenant  on  my 
part,  and  now  He  would  wait  no  longer  upon  me,  for  my  nat- 
ural life  was  not  an  offering  that  was  acceptable  to  Him.  It 
was  brought  to  my  remembrance  what  Samuel  said  to  Saul ; 
and  the  Lord ,  further  showed  me  that  it  was  not  owing  to  His 
being  a  hard  Master,  that  I  had  so  often  come  short,  but  to  my 
reasoning  with  flesh  and  blood,  and  that  gave  the  enemy  the 
advantage  to  deceive  me ;  and  all  this  was  the  effect  of  not 
trusting  in  His  word,  for  He  gave  strength  for  the  weak,  and 
wisdom  to  the  simple,  to  all  those  who  trusted  in  Him,  and 
called  on  His  name.  And  now  said  the  Lord  by  his  Spirit ; 
"  take  thy  choice  decidedly,  for  thou  shalt  have  no  longer  time 
to  be  waited  upon ;  and  if  thou  refuse  My  word,  I  will  leave 
thee  to  become  a  drunkard  and  a  vagabond  upon  the  earth ; 
and  from  My  presence  shalt  thou  go  forth,  and  not  live  out 
half  thy  days." 

This  clear  manifestation  so  shocked  the  whole  man,  that  my 
limbs  not  only  shook,  but  my  knees,  like  Belteshazzar's  were 
ready  to  smite  together.  For  three  days  and  nights,  my  exer- 
cise was  such  that  sleep  and  appetite  for  food  departed  from  me. 
Now  I  had  no  confidence  in  myself,  and  I  durst  not  so  readily 
promise  or  covenant  as  I  formerly  had  done,  fearing  I  should 
fail  as  before.  When  I  looked  over  the  past  I  trembled ; 
and  when  I  looked  forward  to  the  woe  that  was  pronounced 
against  me,  it  appeared  dreadful.  But  after  passing  through 
these  alarming  sensations,  my  mind  was  favored  with  some- 
thing of  a  calm,  and  the  language  of  my  soul  was  to  this  effect; 
Thou  knowest,  O  Lord,  all  things ;  Thou  knowest  that  I  am 
nothing ;  I  have  neither  strength  nor  confidence  to  do  Thy 
will,  for  I  have  come  short  hitherto,  and  durst  not  promise ; 
but  if  Thou,  O  Lord,  wilt  give  me  strength,  then  will  I  try  to 
serve  Thee  faithfully.  If  Thou  grant  not  this  request,  I  must 
perish.  Soon  after  this  petition  it  seemed  as  intelligible  to  me 
as  though  I  heard  a  vocal  voice  say,  I,  the  Lord,  have  heard 
thy  prayer,  and  grant  thy  request ;  but  keep  thine  eye  on  Me, 
and  let  thy  confidence  be  in  Me  alone  ;  obey  My  words  and  it 


46  JOURNAL    OF 

shall  be  well  with  thee.  At  this,  my  mind  became  quiet,  ev- 
eiything  appeared  pleasant  about  me.  I  now  thought  the  worst 
was  over.  This  may  show  how  apt  poor  man  is  to  lay  hold 
of  the  prospect  of  ease.  But  what  soon  follows,  will  show  how 
liable  to  be  disappointed.  After  this,  I  durst  not  admit  rea- 
soning thoughts  into  my  mind,  but  endeavored  to  keep  it  as 
quiet  as  possible. 

When  meeting  day  came,  I  attended.  In  the  early  part,  a 
few  words  came  into  my  mind  with  such  weight  as  caused  me 
to  tremble.  I  soon  felt  the  necessity  to  rise  on  my  feet  and 
deliver  them.  I  attended  to  the  motion,  felt  my  mind  relieved 
and  the  sweet  returns  of  peace  in  greater  fullness  than  I  had  for 
a  long  time  before.  Now,  my  children,  please  to  notice  that 
as  soon  as  I  besought  the  Lord  to  enable  me  to  do  His  will, 
strength  was  given  to  overcome  the  apparent  insurmountable 
difficulties  ;  whereas,  all  my  promises  in  my  own  strength  ever 
failed  me.  He  not  only  giveth  strength,  but  richly  rewardeth 
every  act  of  obedience.  But  my  coming  forward  in  the  min- 
istry, again  raised  another  storm,  and  much  pains  were  taken 
by  my  kindred  to  render  me  odious,  so  that  the  Select  mem- 
bers would  stop  me  from  preaching.  But  they  chose  to  be 
deliberate  and  take  time  for  judgment,  though  my  opposers 
brought  over  three  or  four  Elders  to  their  purpose,  which  made 
hard  work,  and  much  suffering  for  me  during  several  years. 
These  continued  to  persecute  me,  as  long  as  they  could.  But 
my  relatives  failing  in  the  first  point,  fell  on  me  themselves. 
Awhile  after  this,  a  traveling  Friend  was  at  our  meeting.  Al- 
though this  stranger  was  present,  I  felt  constrained  to  deliver  a 
sentence  or  two.  The  stranger  soon  arose,  took  the  same  for  his 
text,  and  kept  it  along  through  his  sermon.  After  meeting,  he 
went  to  my  grandfather's.  I  called  in  to  see  hun,  and  sat  down 
behind  the  door,  not  having  confidence  to  go  forward  and  give 
him  my  hand.     Soon  after  this,  one  of  my  relatives  came  in 

and  addressed  me  thus ;  "  well,  ,  if  you  think  you  can 

make  as  good -a  hand  at  preaching  as  you  have  done  at  black- 
guarding, I  would  have  you  follow  the  business ; "  and  with  a 


JOSEPH    HOAG,  47 

iuock  laugh,  turned  and  went  out.  I  soon  followed,  and  after 
getting  out  of  sight,  vented  my  grief  in  bitter  weeping,  until  I 
could  weep  no  more.  Awhile  after  this  I  saw  another  of  these 
relatives  commit  an  unlawful  act,  and  advised  him  to  refrain 
from  such  conduct,  reasoning  with  him  upon  the  consequences, 
if  pursued.  This  not  being  kindly  taken,  he  went  home  and 
told  his  father  (my  uncle)  such  a  story,  that  when  I  met  with 
him,  he  broke  upon  me  with  great  rage,  and  ordered  me  to 
preach  no  more. 

I  met  with  many  more  similar  occurrences,  in  the  course  of 
five  years,  and  mostly  from  my  relatives,  all  of  which  are  not 
necessary  to  mention.  My  motive  is  to  give  you  the  opportu- 
nity of  serious  reflection,  and  of  beholding  the  difference  be- 
tween the  effects  of  good  and  evil  conduct ;  for  this  relative's 
family  (which  consisted  of  ten  children)  are  all  gone  from  soci- 
ety except  two.  Some  of  them  became  hard  drinkers,  and 
most  of  the  family  are  now  company  for  the  lowest  grades  of 
people.  If  this  is  the  reward  in  this  world,  how  ought  people 
to  shun  every  appearance  of  evil,  when  that  of  the  world  to 
come  is  woeful,  and  without  end.  May  these  truths  be  lasting 
warnings  to  you,  my  children,  for  on  the  other  hand,  your 
grand-father's  offspring  (rising  of  seventy  souls)  are  all  members 
of  society,  and  a  number  of  them  truly  religious,  useful  in 
society,  and  respectable  in  the  community;  so  that  well 
doing  has  its  reward  in  time,  enough  to  induce  thereto,  if  there 
was  no  hereafter.  But  when  we  think  of  the  latter,  what 
pleasure  is  there  in  this  world,  that  is  worth  hazarding  eternal 
felicity  for.  O  !  my  dear  children,  seek  true  Wisdom,  and  let 
the  God  of  your  fathers  be  the  chosen  lot  of  your  inheritance  ; 
so  that  it  may  be  well  with  you  in  time,  and  happy  with  you 
in  eternity. 


CHAPTER  11. 

Having  visited  Huldah  Case   occasionally,  on  account    of 
marriage,  for  the  space  of  two  years  or  more,  she,  during  this 
period,  had  an  opportunity  of  hearing  many  unfavorable  reports 
concerning  me,  and  much  advice  from  those  in  the  first  ranks 
in  society,  to  refrain  from  keeping  my  company.     This,  howev- 
er, did  not  change  her  mind,  until  a  ministering  Friend,  belong- 
ing to  a  neighboring  meeting  came  along,  with  whom  she  trav- 
eled several  weeks,  who  so  pressingly  advised  her  not  to  marry, 
that  her  mind  became  shaken.     She  proposed  dropping  the 
subject.     I  accepted  the  proposal,  and  we  concluded  it  should 
be  final.     I  retired  to  my  father's  house,  and  kept  as  much  from 
company  as  I  could ;  not  visiting  my  former  intended  for  about 
three  months.     But,  through  it  all,  I  felt  desirous  that   she 
might  do  well.     During  this  last  interval  many  rejoiced,  think- 
ing she  had  escaped  me.     But  afterward,  meeting  with  her,  she 
proposed  some  conversation  on  the  subject,  and  when  opportu- 
nity offered,  informed  me  that  she  did  not  feel  satisfied  in  dis- 
missing the  subject,  on  the  principle  she   did,  and  chose   to 
remove  all  she  had  put  in  the  way,  leaving  me  to  act  according 
to   my  own  choice.     It  was  remarked,   that  in   these  three 
months,  she  had  not  opened  her  mouth  in  public,  in  any  meet- 
ing, until  the  day  I  met  with  her ;  though  frequently  appearing 
before,  acceptably,  to  all  classes  of  Friends.     I  was  again  brought 
under  exercise,  for  by  this  time  I  had  appeared  several  times 
in  public,  which  made  a  stir  amongst  many  ;  and  viewing  how 
acceptable  she  was  with  Friends,  I  could  not  marvel  at  her  being 
a  little  jostled  by  having  so  much  said  to  her,  especially  when 
she  had  seen  me  very  much  jostled  several  times. 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  40 

But,  after  expressing  my  feelings  to  her,  and  leaving  her  free 
to  consider  all,  and  act  according  to  her  own  feelings,  we  both 
believed  that  we  felt  a  clear  evidence  that  it  was  right  for  us  to 
join  in  marriage,  and  soon  proceeded  therein,  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  whose  counsel  we  had  sought,  and  whose  directions  we 
believed  we  had.  And  when  we  came  to  solemnize  our  mar- 
riage, the  meeting  was  large  and  solemn,  and  we  were  enabled 
to  go  through  our  marriage  ceremony,  in  a  deliberate  and  aud- 
ible manner.  We  each  had  a  little  testimony  to  bear  in  the 
meeting,  so  that  we  were  much  confirmed  that  the  Lord  owned 
our  proceedings,  which  remains  as  a  seal  with  us  to  this  day, 
and  also  as  a  staff  to  lean  upon  through  many  trying  seasons. 

Our  maniage  occasioned  additional  suffering  for  my  wife. 
Many  judged  she  was  undone,  and  were  not  content  with  neg- 
lecting her,  but  used  their  endeavors  to  discourage  and  bear 
her  down  for  several  years.  I  was  indeed  fearful  they  would 
effect  their  wishes,  yet  through  the  tender  mercy  of  Infinite 
Goodness,  she  was  so  graciously  preserved,  that  in  the  course 
of  a  number  of  years  she  became  established,  and  an  acceptable 
minister. 

However  singular  the  penning  of  these  circumstances  may 
seem,  I  believe  it  right  to  leave  a  record  of  these  facts.  Having 
had  almost  forty  years  of  experimental  proof  in  regard  to  the 
rightfulness  of  our  marriage,  I  am  to  this  day  confirmed  that 
the  Lord  owned  our  proceedings,  notwithstanding  we  had  to 
suffer  much  from  the  censure  and  opposition  of  some  who  with 
an  apparent  zeal,  professed  it  was  their  duty.  Here  I  would 
leave  a  caution  not  to  meddle  with  that  which  does  not  belong 
to  us ;  for,  in  the  order  of  Divine  Justice,  that  which  we  mete  to 
others  will  surely  be  turned  on  our  own  heads.  Bear  in  mind 
that  the  seat  of  judgment  is  filled  with  One  in  Heaven,  before 
whose  throne  angels  and  archangels  bow,  and  submissively  wait 
for  direction  how  to  execute  judgment. 

Were  the  children  of  men  careful  so  to  do,  the  innocent 
would  not  suffer  oppression  from  their  fellow  creatures,  nor  the 
devil  be  exalted  in  the  seat  of  judgment  above  all  that  is  called 


50  JOURNAL    OF 

God,  for  all  Mse  judgment  glorifies  him,  and  builds  up  his 
kingdom.  I  feel  the  more  concerned  for  you,  my  dear  chil- 
dren, believing  the  Lord  has  shown  me,  if  you  keep  your  ranks 
in  righteousness,  that  the  most  of  you  will  have  to  stand  in  the 
front  of  the  Lord's  assemblies,  to  turn  the  battle  to  the  gate, 
and  may  be  often  tried  with  a  spirit  that  loves  to  get  together 
and  form  bands,  and  work  one  another  up  into  a  zeal;  the 
sparks  thereof  is  a  fire  the  Lord  abhorreth,  and  will  surely  blast. 
But  as  you  keep  your  eye  single  to  the  Lord,  he  will  favor  you 
to  see  through  all  such  works  of  darkness,  and  so  to  stand  in 
your  lots  as  to  escape  the  snares  which  are  many,  and  fill  up 
your  measures  in  your  generation,  as  shining  lights  in  his  hand. 
We  were  married  when  I  w^as  about  twenty  years  and  six: 
months  old,  and  the  spring  following  commenced  house-keep- 
ing, being  poorly  provided  with  things  necessary  for  farming, 
which  rendered  my  situation  embarrassing.  I  often  felt  my 
mind  drawn  to  visit  neighboring  meetings,  and  sometimes  those 
more  distant.  This  gave  some  Friends  who  were  desirous  of 
my  welfare,  considerable  uneasiness,  who  reasoned  on  this 
wise  :  that  in  my  limited  circumstances  it  could  hardly  be  re- 
quired of  me,  to  be  so  frequently  from  home,  and  neglect  my 
temporal  concerns ;  and  those  who  lightly  esteemed  me  would 
take  advantage  of  it,  and  raise  a  prejudice  against  me  as  being 
a  forward  person,  and  this  might  injure  my  services,  and  close 
my  way  among  Friends.  These  reasonings  brought  a  great  ex- 
ercise of  mind,  and  bore  me  down  exceedingly,  until  the  Lord 
helped  me,  and  enabled  me  to  see  with  clearness,  that  there 
was  no  room  to  scruple  the  manifestations  with  which  He  had 
favored  me ;  speaking  thus  intelligibly  to  my  understand- 
ing :  "I,  the  Lord,  hold  all  the  treasures  of  the  creation  in  My 
hand,  and  I  can  blast  all  the  endeavors,  contrivances  and  wis- 
dom of  man,  and  give  bread  to  the  hungry,  and  water  to  the 
needy.  When  didst  thou  ever  see  the  righteous  forsaken  or  his 
seed  begging  bread  ?  Obey  thou  My  voice,  and  not  that  of 
man,  and  thy  bread  and  thy  water  shall  be  sure ;  thy  family 
shall  be  fed  of  My  bounty,  and  taken  better  care  of  than  thou 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  51 , 

art  able  to  take  of  them."  It  was  also  shown. me  that  as  I  was 
faithful  in  my  gift,  Friends  would  be  dipped  into  sympathy  for 
me,  and  be  brought  into  unity  with  me,  and  be  moved  in  their 
spirits  to  plead  my  cause ;  and  that  in  this  way,  the  opposition 
against  me  would  be  overruled.  These  openings  in  the  light 
revived  me,  and  encouraged  me  to  press  forward  with  renewed 
confidence  in  the  Lord.  And  here  I  think  right  to  acknowl- 
edge, with  humble  gratitude  and  thankful  praises,  the  tender 
mercies  of  the  adorable  Shepherd  of  Israel ;  for  in  a  few  years 
it  all  came  to  pass  which  had  been  shown  me.  Inquiry  was 
made  abroad  why  my  ministry  was  not  owned,  and  David 
Sands,  a  wise  man,  an  able  minister,  and  truly  a  nursing  father 
in  the  church,  took  up  the  subject  of  my  public  appearances, 
and  laid  it  so  home  to  my  opposers  that  they  gave  up  to  my 
recommendation  as  a  minister.  But  as  my  poor  wife  gave  up 
to  stay  much  at  home,  it  was  several  years  before  her  liberation 
was  accomplished.  I  have  cause  to  acknowledge  that  the 
counsel  of  the  Lord  is  better  than  all  the  wisdom  of  man,  for  in 
the  former  there  is  no  disappointment,  while  man's  wisdom 
fails. 

There  is  an  occurrence  which  I  am  not  free  to  omit,  which 
is  this :  Nearly  a  year  after  I  went  to  house-keeping,  I  went  on 
temporal  business  about  twelve  miles  from  home,  where  I  had 
no  knowledge  of  the  people.  As  I  came  in  sight  of  a  house,  I 
felt  my  mind  arrested  to  stop  and  go  in.  The  impression  in- 
creased with  such  weight  that  I  was  afraid  to  pass  by.  So 
I  alighted  and  went  in.  As  I  entered  the  door,  this  portion 
of  Scripture,  powerfully  ran  through  my  mind :  "Set  thy  bouse 
in  order,  for  thou  shalt  surely  die  and  not  live."  I  was  exceed- 
ingly struck  with  the  language,  and  instead  of  uttering  it,  as  I 
ought,  I  sat  down  and  reasoned,  until  a  cloud  came  over  my 
mind,  and  concluded  that  I  was  too  young  and  had  not  arrived 
to  experience  enough  to  deliver  such  a  solemn  and  awful  mes- 
sage. And  how  did  I  know  but  that  it  was  all  the  work  of  the 
wicked  one.  So  I  got  up  and  left  without  delivering  the  mes- 
sage, but  went  away  with  a  heavy  heart.     Yet  I  pursued  my 


'62  JOURNAL    OF 

business,  and  when  returning  the  next  day,  the  g?ame  impression 
came  over  me,  but  I  rode  by  and  went  home,  but  lost  my  peace 
and  testimony,  which  did  not  return,  I  think,  for  months.  In 
about  a  year  after,  passing  the  same  road,  when  I  came  in  sight 
of  the  house,  my  former  exercise  came  fresh  before  me,  but  I 
had  no  impression  to  stop.  Yet  it  took  my  thoughts  so  that  I 
called  at  another  house  near  by,  and  enquired  after  the  family, 
when  I  was  told  that  a  great  change  had  taken  place  within 
three  months ;  that  the  family  had  always  been  healthy,  and 
there  had  been  no  death,  nor  serious  sickness  amongst  them 
before ;  they  had  twelve  children  under  the  same  roof,  and  that 
within  three  months  the  mother  and  seven  of  the  children  had 
died  with  a  fever,  within  a  few  weeks  of  each  other.  I  then 
asked  if  they  were  religious  people  ;  the  answer  was  no,  not  at  all. 
By  this  time  I  had  got  a  load,  and  was  in  a  fit  condition  for  Satan 
to  buffet.  Notwithstanding  I  had  passed  through  deep  suffer- 
ings and  sore  chastenings,  for  an  omission  of  duty,  I  often 
thought  if  I  could  be  favored  with  the  return  of  peace,  I  should 
be  willing  to  perform  any  duty  that  might  be  required,  if  I  had 
a  sure  evidence.  I  greatly  feared  being  deceived,  or  running 
without  right  authority,  and  desired  to  know  with  certainty 
whether  I  had  done  wrong,  in  withholding  as  I  did.  At  length 
this  language  was  presented  to  my  mind :  As  thou  did  it  not 
through  willful  disobedience,  but  through  fear  of  being  deceiv- 
ed, there  is  forgiveness  for  thee.  Soon  after  this  my  peace  in 
good  measure  returned,  and  I  had  appeared  a  number  of  times 
in  public,  to  my  own  comfort,  and  felt  pretty  well  settled,  until 
I  heard  the  account  of  the  deaths  in  that  family.  And  then 
the  enemy  poured  in  his  floods  upon  me,  in  this  way,  that  now 
I  knew  for  certainty,  that  I  had  disobeyed  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  that  I  had  not  warned  the  wicked,  and  they  had  died 
in  their  sins,  and  their  blood  was  required  at  my  hands  ;  that 
the  idea  I  had  of  finding  forgiveness,  was  all  imagination,  so 
that  I  was  almost  driven  to  despair,  and  had  not  the  Lord  in 
mercy  rebuked  the  old  serpent,  I  should  have  sunk  and  given 
up  the  ghost.     Adored  be  the  Lord's  holy  name,  forevermore ! 


JOSEPH   pOAG.  53 

Here  I  can  but  remark  that  had  I,  instead  of  entering  into 
reasonings  set  down  in  the  quiet,  and  shut  the  door  of  my 
mind,  and  turned  to  the  Lord  with  humble  prayer,  that  He  would 
preserve  me  from  all  delusion,  and  give  strength  to  do  His  will ; 
no  doubt  I  should  have  been  enabled  to  do  my  duty,  enjoyed 
a  tranquil  and  peaceful  mind,  and  escaped  the  buffetingsof  Sa- 
tan. I  should  have  saved  loss  of  time,  escaped  abundance  of 
sorrow  and  woe,  and  have  been  abundance  better  able  to  fill  up 
my  duty,  both  in  a  temporal  and  a  religious  line.  I  have  suf- 
fered almost  every  way  on  account  of  my  remissness  herein, 
for  when  my  mind  was  so  much  perplexed,  I  was  not  able  to 
manage  my  temporal  affairs  to  good  account.  May  these  por- 
tions of  sorrowful  experience  be  lessons  of  lasting  instruction  to 
my  posterity. 

I  now  return  to  the  time  of  our  commencing  business,  which 
was  the  spring  after  our  marriage.  My  father  persuaded  me 
to  take  part  of  a  farm,  which  I  consented  to,  though  I  pro- 
ceeded against  my  own  feelings ;  for  my  mind  was  often  turned 
towards  a  small  meeting  in  the  Little  Nine  Partners ;  and 
this  impression  always  appeared  pleasant,  and  continued  with 
•me  several  years.  But  when  I  mentioned  the  subject  in  my 
father's  hearing  he  would  speak  discouragingly ;  and  having 
confidence  in  his  judgment,  I  submitted,  to  the  wounding  of 
my  feelings,  until  the  prospect  left  me.  But  so  it  turned  that 
when  brought  into  great  straits  in  my  aff'airs,  that  I  had  a 
chance  to  sell  my  farm  well,  and  did  so.  Then  I  wanted  to 
take  a  look  into  the  Little  Nine  Partners  to  see  what  I  could 
do  there,  but  father  endeavored  to  prevent  it.  So  after  taking 
half  of  another  farm  I  went  on  with  fresh  courage,  thinking  I 
could  now  live.  But  soon  after  it  would  come  into  my  mind, 
now  thou  must  go  into  the  new  country  to  live.  And  this,  fol- 
lowed me  from  month  to  month  for  years,  though  I  strove  to 
put  it  out  of  my  mind.  When  I  mentioned  it,  my  wife  ap- 
peared opposed  and  her  connections  firm  against  it;  likewise 
my  parents  spoke  discouragingly,  and  I  gave  up  the  prospect, 
thinking  I  could  get  a  living  there.  But  things  continued  to  work 


54  JOURJIAL    OF 

against  me  from  time  to  time.  In  the  course  of  two  years  I  lost  * 
much  of  my  stock  so  that  I  had  to  buy  my  meat  instead  of  hav- 
ing some  to  sell.  This  brought  me  into  a  great  strait  and  much 
reasoning,  so  that  I  called  all  in  question  in  regard  to  my  set- 
tling in  a  married  state,  instead  of  seeking  to  the  Lord  to  know- 
why  it  was.  In  this  I  missed  the  mark,  and  got  so  far  bewild- 
ered as  to  cause  unnecessary  exercise  in  regard  to  my  getting 
along. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year,  after  sustaining  the  aforementioned 
losses,  my  house  took  fire  and  burned  up.  Now  we  were 
stripped  in  a  manner  naked,  including  all  that  my  wife  brought, 
with  the  exception  of  two  beds  and  their  covering ;  that  is  of 
things  about  the  house,  which  fire  would  consume,  and  my 
wife  had  a  good  setting  out,  she  being  an  able  farmer's  daugh- 
ter. After  this  father  took  us  home  for  awhile.  Then  after 
getting  my  business  a  little  arranged,  and  having  but  little 
property  left  to  depend  upon,  finding  myself  some  in  debt,  my 
father  and  father-in-law  seeing  how  I  was  situated  joined  and 
paid  half  of  my  debts.  From  that  time  I  had  to  manage  for 
myself  without  any  material  help  from  any  other  quarter,  mov- 
ing once  or  twice  a  year  for  several  years,  until  I  paid  my* 
debts,  and  got  something  to  help  myself  with. 

The  following  circumstance,  I  think  right  to  record,  for  not- 
withstanding all  my  exercises  and  losses  of  property,  I  was  so 
far  favored  in  the  ministry,  that  in  about  five  years  fi-om  my 
first  appearance  therein,  I  was  recommended.  I  think  about 
this  time  I  was  reduced  to  my  greatest  straits  by  losses 
except  what  went  with  my  house.  And  being  anxious  to  live 
above  board,  as  I  heard  of  some  lands  owned  by  a  Friend  in 
New  York,  lying  not  far  from  a  settlement  of  Friends,  and 
that  the  owner  wanted  to  sell  them,  I  went  to  see  if  I  could  get 
a  chance  to  help  myself ;  but  I  did  not  succeed.  I  got  into 
New  York  on  first  day,  in  time  to  attend  the  morning  meeting. 
I  had  a  favored  testimony  to  bear,  and  was  more  enlarged  than 
at  any  previous  time,  and  was  affectionately  noticed  by  Friends 
after  meeting. 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  55 

Next  day  I  left  the  city,  to  meet  my  father  as  I  had  agreed, 
who  was  on  business  at  West  Chester.  But  before  I  got  off  of 
York-Island  it  came  upon  me  with  great  weight  to  turn  back 
into  the  city  and  attend  their  next  meeting,  for  the  Lord^  was 
going  to  visit  the  city  with  a  sore  mortality,  and  it  was  re- 
quired of  me  to  warn  them  thereof,  and  proclaim  repentance  in 
the  city.  Under  the  weight  of  this  exercise  I  struggled  much, 
and  reasoned  for  several  hours ;  not  that  I  scrupled  so  much  its 
being  the  word  of  the  Lord,  as  I  did,  Jonah  like,  for  I  feared 
that  if  it  did  not  come  speedily  to  pass,  I  should  be  censured 
as  a  deceived  man.  But  after  setting  by  the  way  side  a  long 
time,  it  was  opened  to  my  mind  as  plain  as  though  it  had  been 
printed,  "  it  shall  not  come  speedily,  and  they  will  receive  thy 
message  coolly,  and  thou  will  be  censured  for  it ;  but  when  it 
eometh  to  pass,  they  shall  remember  thy  warning,  and  have  to 
acknowledge  that  the  Lord  was  thy  director,  and  Ilis  word  was 
truth  in  thy  mouth,  for  it  shall  surely  oome.  But  if  thou  diso- 
bey Me,  I,  the  Lord,  will  bring  trouble  on  thee  that  shall  be 
much  worse  to  bear."  When  this  appeared  I  concluded  to  go 
and  see  my  father  and  return,  as  there  was  plenty  of  time  for  it 
I  thought.  It  then  came  to  me  not  to  go  to  him,  but  return 
back ;  but  I  thought  father  would  think  strange  of  it,  as  there 
was  time  enough  to  go  and  eome.  Then  it  came  into  my 
mind  thus :  write  to  thy  father,  and  that  will  be  better  than 
for  thee  to  go  to  him.  Yet  I  went  to  father ;  I  informed  him 
of  my  prospect  to  return  into  the  city  to  attend  the  Quarterly 
Meeting. 

He  strongly  opposed  it  and  invited  me  to  go  with  him.  I 
complied  with  the  invitation,  though  against  my  feelings,  and 
it  proved  an  entire  prevention  of  my  getting  to  the  Quarterly 
Meeting.     This  threw  me  into  great  confusion. 

I  was  in  great  distress  nearly  all  the  time  I  was  in  that  part 
of  the  country ;  and  I  never  had  an  opportunity  afterwards  to 
relieve  my  mind  of  the  before-mentioned  subject.  Another 
stepped  in  and  took  the  crown.     They  were  warned,  and  death 


56  JOURNAL   OF 

came.     This  step  of  mine  opened  the  door  for  tlie  heaviest  suf- 
ferings I  ever  experienced  from  without. 

(It  appears  from  his  memoranda,  that  these  suflfermga  continued  sev- 
eral months,  in  consequence  of  misconceptions  and  unfounded  reports  in 
regard  to  his  movements,  and  although  his  accusers  did  not  succeed  in 
carrying  through  their  designs,  yet  he  was  discouraged  from  exercising 
his  gift  in  the  ministry  for  a  time.) 

At  length  I  was  taken  sick  with  vomiting  which  continued 
without  much  intermission  until  I  thought  I  was  dying.  Un- 
der this  apprehension  I  turned  my  attention  to  reflect  how  I 
was  going ;  it  looked  all  dark,  and  I  felt  I  was  sinking  into 
utter  darkness,  which  so  alarmed  me  that  the  bed  shook  under 
me,  and  caused  me  to  cry.  Lord,  have  mercy  on  me  I  what  have 
I  done  that  this  must  be  my  doom  ?  The  query  was  quickly 
answered ;  "  thou  hast  obeyed  man  and  not  Me ;  thou  hast  given 
up  the  testimony  which  I,  the  Lord,  gave  thee  to  bear,  because 
man  has  commanded  thee  to  be  silent  when  I  did  not ;  neither 
did  I  command  man  to  do  such  a  thing.  Now,  go  thou  to  man 
and  let  him  save  thee."  When  this  word  came,  I  felt  as  if  my 
breath  was  going  from  me,  and  I  gave  up ;  but  a  calm  came 
over  my  mind,  and  a  clear,  gentle  voice,  in  this  language,  salu- 
ted the  ear  of  my  soul :  "  wilt  thou  obey  Me,  if  I  spare  thee  this 
once  ?"  I  quickly  answered,  "  yes,  I  will,  0  Lord,  if  Thou  com- 
mand me  to  go  through  the  fire  or  water." 

My  sickness  ceased  almost  instantly.  I  soon  asked  for  victu- 
als ;  after  eating  a  little  I  soon  got  up  and  walked  the  house. 
Next  day,  the  seventh  of  the  week,  I  did  a  pretty  good  day'a 
work  in  the  field,  which  was  a  wonder  to  the  neighbors  who 
saw  me  the  day  before.  The  day  following  I  went  to  meeting, 
in  the  early  part  of  which  I  felt  an  opening  in  gospel  authority, 
and  arose  on  my  feet  with  these  words  :  "  The  word  preached 
doth  not  profit  unless  it  be  mixed  with  faith  in  the  hearer," 
and  bore  a  lengthy  testimony,  much  to  the  relief  and  sweet 
peace  of  my  mind.  This  caused  an  alarm,  and  the  elders  got 
together  to  consult  what  to  do.  Two  or  three  of  them  were 
tor  laying  an  absolute  command  upon  me  to  keep  silent,  but  I 


JOSEPH   ttOAG.  §7 

Was  informed  that  a  young  elder  asked  the  others  if  they  be- 
lieved I  had  a  gift  in  the  ministry*  Tliey  answered,  "  Yes ;  '* 
he  replied,  "  aud  we  have  owned  it,  we  have  recommended 
him ;  now,  I  want  you  to  answer  one  question.  Did  you 
ever  hear  Joseph  more  in  the  clearness  of  gospel  power  than  he 
was  to-day  ?  "  they  answered,  "  no."  Then  he  replied,  "  it  is 
a  proof  the  Lord  hath  not  forsaken  him,  and  I  shall  have  no 
hand  in  silencing  him,  for  I  am  afraid  to  fight  against  God." 
They  replied,  "  what  shall  we  do  ?  "  he  answered,  "  set  him  at 
liberty;"  which  was  in  a  measure,  soon  done.  Still  1  had 
much  to  pass  through  for  several  years  on  account  of  jealousies 
and  surmisings,  but  the  Lord  preserved  me  through  it  all> 
blessed  be  His  goodness  and  holy  power.  During  this  time  a 
minister  from  Long  Island,  came  to  our  Monthly  Meeting  and 
harshly  censured  it  for  allowing  me  to  visit  meetings  out  of  its 
limits.  This  man  in  a  few  years  so  lost  his  standing  as  to  get 
under  dealings,  thereby  losing  his  influence.  There  were  two 
others  who  followed  me  privately  and  publicly,  one  of  whom 
died  in  a  few  years,  having  had  his  share  of  trouble  on  account 
of  a  difficulty  between  himself  and  an  elder  of  his  own  meeting, 
which  so  shut  up  his  way  that  he  could  never  afterward  get  a 
certificate  to  travel. 

The  other  got  into  a  way  of  preaching,  so  much  as  to  be- 
come burdensome  to  his  friends,  whereby  he  lost  much  of  their 
esteem.  It  comes  close  to  my  feelings,  dear  children,  to  write 
these  truths,  for  I  would  prefer  like  Noah's  sons,  to  throw  a 
garment  over  the  nakedness  of  these  ministers,  if  I  could  have 
felt  easy  so  to  do.  But  such  is  the  e\dl  that  hath  been  done 
in  our  Society  in  my  day,  by  private  whispering,  private  influ- 
ence, and  these,  under  the  appearance  of  great  concern  and 
zeal,  so  as  to  deceive  the  simple,  and  set  the  sincere-hearted 
one  against  another,  and  to  make  wounds  that  are  not  easily 
healed ;  seeing  that  what  we  mete  to  others  will  be  meted  to 
us  again.  I  desire  yen  may  be  so  warned  and  instructed  that 
you  may  take  care  and  never  be  drawn  away,  or  prejudiced 
against  any  one,  without  first  knowing  both  sides;  then  let 
4 


58  JOURNAL   OF 

truth  and  justice  be  your  standard,  lest  you  fare  like  those 
poor  men,  who  were  all  three  favored  ministers,  while  they 
kept  to  the  Master's  leadings,  and  only  judged  as  He  gave 
them  judgment. 

A  criminal  is  entitled  to  just  judgment,  and  it  is  enough  to 
bear  his  own  sins.  When  the  mind  of  one  who  means  to  be 
just,  is  drawn  away  to  give  unjust  judgement  with  zeal,  in  this 
he  glorifies  the  devil  and  builds  up  his  kingdom.  This  grieves 
the  spirit  of  Christ  and  wounds  the  feelings  of  the  sufferer,  and 
Christ  will  not  reward  with  his  blessing  for  such  services.  When 
the  superficial,  designing  and  evil-minded  succeed  and  get  the 
better  class  to  be  tools  for  them,  it  strengthens  and  encourages 
them  to  repeat  their  conduct.  In  this  way,  abundance  of  dis- 
cord is  promoted,  the  innocent,  many  of  them,  deeply  wound- 
ed, and  the  evil-minded  encouraged  to  rush  headlong,  until  de- 
struction opens  her  mouth  and  swallows  them  up. 

Again,  if  angels  have  to  wait  until  God  gives  them  judgment, 
and  then  for  directions  how  to  mmister  and  administer  it,  how 
careful  ought  poor  finite  creatures  to  be  how  they  execute  judg- 
ment without  divine  direction.  After  living  through  many  and 
varied  trials  with  an  almost  constant  scene  of  conflict  and  being 
permitted  to  get  my  mind  into  the  quiet,  I  entered  into  deep 
searching  of  heart  to  know  the  cause  of  trouble  so  continually 
coming  upon  me.  The  Lord  in  His  own  time  gave  me  to  see 
that  if  I  had  sought  to  Him  for  direction,  instead  of  listening 
to  human  contrivings,  I  might  have  been  settled  in  Little 
Nine  Partners  for  many  years  and  been  in  my  right  place, 
where  the  Lord's  blessing  would  have  been  upon  me ;  but  as  I 
had  neglected  His  pointings  therein.  He  had  withheld  it.  Not- 
withstanding, I  had  striven  so  long  m  this  way  that  I  had  neither 
money  or  friends  to  help  me,  it  now  appeared  clear  that  if  I 
would  give  up  and  go  into  the  new  country  I  should  be  blessed. 
It  so  settled  on  my  mind  that  I  told  it  to  my  wife,  and  opened 
my  prospect  to  my  own  and  to  her  relations.  My  keeping  stead- 
ily to  the  prospect  brought  my  wife  under  deep  concern.  How- 
ever, it  was  not  long  before  she  told  me  that  she  saw  so  clearly 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  59 

there  was  a  good  farm  for  us  in  the  country  (where  we  now 
Hve),  that  she  was  willing  to  go  with  me,  ever  after  remaining 
steady  in  the  prospect,  and  thinks  we  are  on  the  very  spot 
which  was  presented  to  her  view. 

When  I  opened  the  prospect  to  my  friends  for  their  consent, 
they  utterly  denied  me  any  liberty  to  move.  In  this  situation 
they  kept  me  for  more  than  two  years,  which  did  not  jostle  me, 
feeling  easy  in  having  done  all  on  my  part  without  feeling  hard 
towards  them,  fully  believing  they  would  have  to  give  it  up. 
The  Lord  had  shown  me  that  I  had  much  to  suffer  for  my  own 
neglect,  so  that  I  dared  not  murmur. 

I  saw  that  I  had  suffered  the  loss  of  property  for  not  attend- 
ing to  the  pointings  of  true  wisdom  in  settling  ;  also,  that  my 
neglecting  to  turn  back  when  I  was  coming  out  of  New  York, 
as  the  Lord  required  of  me,  was  another  great  cause  of  my  fall- 
ing into  trials.  It  grieved  me  much  to  find  so  many  of  the 
honest-hearted  amongst  us  so  unfavorably  impressed  that  they 
were  shy  of  my  company,  and  I  went  mourning  on  this  account 
many  days.  It  also  grieved  me  that  I  had  given  any  occasion 
for  the  superficial  to  triumph  and  to  have  advantage  to  deceive 
the  better  ranks  amongst  us,  but  the  adorable  Shepherd  of  Isra- 
el was  pleased  to  shew  me  that  for  my  revolting  it  was  just  for 
me  to  suffer,  and  that  when  I  had  suffered  enough  he  would 
plead  my  cause,  and  that  the  works  of  the  ungodly  who  had 
spread  discord  among  brethren  should  turn  on  their  own  heads. 
And  whereas  they  had  pretended  a  godly  concern  to  hide  their 
deceit,  those  should  be  blasted  in  my  day.  This  I  have  seen 
come  to  pass  very  fully,  and  the  Lord  showed  me  also  that  those 
of  the  better  class  who  judged  by  the  sight  of  the  eye  and 
hearing  of  the  ear,  and  these,  only  on  hearing  one  side,  judged 
wrong ;  that  they  should  suffer  for  their  own  wrong,  while  those 
who  looked  to  him  for  counsel  would  be  sensible  of  the  truth 
in  the  life  of  it,  for  that  salutes  its  own.  All  this  have  I  expe- 
rienced and  seen  come  to  pass.  Let  these  remarks,  my  chil- 
dren, be  way-marks,  and  let  other's  harms  be  lessons  of  improve- 
ment to  you.    This  opening  much  relieved  mymind  and  raised 


60  JOURNAL    OF 

my  drooping  spirits,  and  I  took  renewed  courage  to  try  to  do 
as  well  as  I  could. 

I  mentioned  previously  of  Friends  holding  me  back  from 
moving.  It  was,  I  think,  a  year  before  I  got  leave  to  purchase 
lands  in  the  new  country,  and  two  years  before  I  got  leave  to 
move,  and  yet  another  year  before  we  got  certificates,  although 
I  had  settled  all  my  outward  affairs.  The  year  we  were  de- 
tained from  moving  proved  well  for  my  wife,  as  she  went  to 
reside  at  her  father's  in  the  verge  of  Little  Nine  Partners  meet- 
ing, where  she  grew  in  the  ministry  and  in  the  life,  as  well  as 
in  largeness  of  testimony,  so  that  soon  after  moving  into  this 
country  she  was  approved  as  a  minister  and  continues  in  good 
esteem. 

After  we  settled  in  this  country,  things  turned  otherwise  with 
us ;  we  prospered  remarkably  and  soon  got  into  a  comfortable 
way  of  living,  having  a  good  possession,  which  we  yet  enjoy, 
having  the  pleasure  of  entertaining  many  friends. 

I  do  not  speak  of  our  friends  discouraging  us  from  moving 
as  censuring  them,  for  the  misfortunes  I  had  met  with,  caused 
them  to  think  I  should  never  be  able  to  provide  for  my  family. 
But  the  God  of  all  tender  mercies  helped  to  bear  up  our  minds, 
and  carried  us  through  all  the  trials  He  permitted  to  come  up- 
on us,  and  we  have  lived  to  see  to  our  great  comfort,  seven  Pre- 
parative Meetings,  three  Monthly  Meetings,  and  a  Quarterly 
Meeting  settled  in  this  country.  Whereas,  when  I  first  came 
here,  there  were  but  three  families  of  Friends,  they  being  set- 
tled wide  apart. 

After  a  number  of  Friends  had  moved  into  these  parts  I  felt 
much  concerned  that  Friends  should  keep  together  in  the 
Truth,  and  live  up  to  their  principles ;  on  which  account  I  la- 
bored much.  Many  of  them  came  with  little  thought,  further 
than  to  obtain  property,  and  it  seemed  hard  to  turn  their  at- 
tention to  any  other  concern ;  so  much  so,  that  when  some  of 
us  met  together  they  opposed  us,  and  when  we  wanted  to  re- 
quest for  a  meeting,  they  kept  us  back  for  some  time,  pleading 
that  we  lived  too  much  scattered — that  when  the  country  was 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  61 

cleared  up  and  the  roads  made  good,  and  Friends  got  forer- 
handed — then  it  was  time  enough,  for  then  we  could  attend 
meetings  comfortably  and  entertain  our  friends.  But  not 
thinking  these  reasons  sufficient,  we  determined,  after  awhile, 
to  forward  a  request,  and  when  they  saw  they  could  not  keep 
us  back  any  longer  they  put  their  hands  to  it.  We  soon  ob- 
tained a  meeting,  and  in  a  few  years  we  had  an  established 
Preparative  Meeting. 

During  this  interval  I  had  to  make  several  visits  to  the  meet- 
ings and  neighborhoods  in  the  compass  of  which  I  was  now 
settled.  This,  I  have  since  seen,  was  ordered  in  the  wisdom  of 
Providence,  in  a  two  fold  sense.  Firstly,  that  now  my  labors 
were  mostly  to  be  in  this  and  the  adjoining  country,  and 
this  could  not  be  without  the  unity  of  my  Friends,  and  gener- 
ally so  of  the  Monthly  Meeting.  Secondly,  as  some  from  oth- 
er parts,  took  pains  to  send  the  reports  that  had  been  spread 
about  me,  into  all  these  northern  parts,  especially  among  the 
select  members,  with  this  charge — if  I  came  there,  to  take 
good  care  of  me,  for  I  was  a,  strong-headed,  forward  man,  and 
they  feared  I  would  do  much  hurt.  This  so  affected  many, 
that  they  appeared  cool  towards  me,  which  made  hard  work 
for  some  time. 

The  first  of  those  visits  was  pretty  soon  after  I  got  my  fam- 
ily settled  in  this  country.  I  felt  my  mind  weightily  arrested 
to  attend  Easton  Monthly  Meeting,  with  such  clearness  that  I 
fully  believed  it  my  duty.  Accordingly  •!  went.  I  arrived 
there  when  nearly  dark  in  the  evening.  Next  day  I  attended 
the  Monthly  Meetiqg,  which  was  composed  of  Easton,  Sarato- 
ga, Queensbury,  and  White  Creek  Preparative  Meetings ;  con- 
sequently it  was  large,  most  of  the  principal  members  being  in 
attendance.  As  I  entered  the  meeting  house  these  thoughts 
came  into  my  mind.  "  How  ought  those  who  sit  in  the  front 
of  the  meeting  so  to  conduct  as  to  adorn  the  seat  of  Moses,  as 
judges  and  lights  in  Israel  ? "  It  rested  on  me  until  I  was 
made  sensible  it  was  my  duty  to  leave  it  among  them,  and 
feeling  the  lively  authority  of  Truth,  I  arose  with  these  words : 


^m^^ 


62  JOURNAL   OF 

"  Friends,  it  is  often  the  case  when  I  come  into  the  meeting- 
house and  cast  my  eyes  towards  the  gallery,  that  the  thought 
comes  over  me,  how  ought  those  who  sit  there  in  Moses'  seat 
to  adorn  the  place,  as  pillars  in  the  church,  to  be  shining  ex- 
amples to  the  people  ?  Friends  1  our  neighbors  have  a  right  to 
look  for  it — our  children  have  a  right  to  call  for  it.  The  con- 
sideration of  this  subject  many  times  causes  my  heart  to  trem- 
ble when  I  look  towards  the  gallery.  0,  Friends !  were  this 
class  what  they  ought  to  be  how  they  would  hold  up  the  stand- 
ard of  light  and  life  to  the  people,  and  the  language  of  encour- 
agement to  the  assemblies  of  the  Lord.  Then  would  He  bless 
His  heritage,  and  his  standard-bearers  with  wisdom  and  sound 
judgment.  But,  Friends,  it  appears  to  me  that  there  are 
amongst  you  those  who  have  mounted  Moses'  seat,  who  sit  in 
your  galleries,  whom  the  Lord  has  never  placed  there — whose 
conduct  has  been  a  reproach."  Then  I  was  led  to  show  how 
they  injured  the  cause  o£  Truth,  and  grieved  their  honest 
brethren,  to  whose  hearts  the  testimony  of  Truth  was  more 
dear  than  their  natural  lives,  and  how  they  caused  the  seeking 
enquirer  after  the  ways  of  Zion  to  stumble,  and  give  an  advan- 
tage for  gain-sayers  to  reproach  and  the  daughters  of  the  un- 
circumcised  to  triumph.  Then  I  was  led  to  call  upon  the 
Joshuas  to  arise,  and  cleanse  the  camp  and  remove  the  accursed 
thing  out  of  the  host,  that  Israel  might  journey  forward.  Then 
I  felt  my  mind  turned  to  other  subjects. 

After  meeting,  my  aged  aunt,  Anna  Hoag,  came  to  me,  with 
tears  running  down  her  cheeks,  took  me  by  the  hand  with  these 
words,  "  Dear  Joseph,  keep  to  thy  Master,  and  He  will  keep 
thee,  and  thou  wilt  not  be  destroyed."  Friends  then  generally 
looked  upon  and  spoke  to  me  pleasantly.  I  went  to  my  un- 
cle's and  my  aunt  took  a  seat  by  me,  and  said,  "  Joseph,  I 
must  tell  thee,  for  we  know  thou  couldst  not  have  had  any 
outward  knowledge,  as  thou  hast  not  been  amongst  us  since  the 
occurrence  took  place,  (which  was  true),  there  is  a  Friend  in 
White  Creek  meeting,  who  sits  on  the  high  seat,  at  the  right 
hand,  and  has  quarrelled  with  his  neighbors  about  their  land 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  6? 

lines,  and  carried  it  to  such  a  length,  that  he  has  got  the  neigh- 
borhood, both  ia  Society  and  out,  in  an  uproar ;  and  that 
Friends  were  then  laboring  with  him  to  get  the  business  settled ;" 
then  said,  *'  Joseph,  if  thou  keepest  thy  place,  this  day's  labor 
will  make  thy  way  amongst  us,  let  them  say  what  they  will." 

Before  I  left  the  place,  (I  think  it  was),  I  was  told  there 
was  another  Friend  living  at  Queensbury,  who  was  a  man  in  a 
good  deal  of  business,  and  sat  on  the  front  seat,  at  the  right 
hand.  He  had  so  much  jangling  in  doing  business,  that  Friends 
had  been  laboring  for  some  time  to  get  his  aiFairs  settled,  and 
one  of  his  neighbors  told  him  in  their  presence,  that  it  "  would 
have  been  much  for  the  credit  of  the  Quakers,  and  the  peace 
of  the  neighborhood,  if  he  had  been  put  under  ground 
years  ago."  Both  these  Friends  sat  on  the  second  rising  seat, 
and  nearly  before  me,  at  the  Monthly  Meeting.  I  soon  returned 
home,  taking  one  meeting  in  my  way,  having  great  peace  of 
mind.  I  had  abundantly  to  marvel  in  deep  humiliation,  at  the 
wonderful  goodness  of  the  Lord  in  thus  making  a  way  for  me, 
where  I  believe  blind  zeal  had  endeavored  to  close  it. 

Sometime  after  this,  I  went  again  to  Monthly  Meeting  at 
Easton,  and  having  it  on  my  mind  to  appoint  some  meetings 
on  my  return  home,  I  informed  the  Meeting  of  my  prospect, 
and  had  its  approbation,  expecting  after  meeting,  to  pursue 
it.  But  as  soon  as  I  came  out  of  meeting,  it  seemed  to  shut 
down  over  my  mind,  for  some  hours.  An  old  experienced 
Minister  remarked  to  me,  after  meeting,  (who  had  approved  of 
my  prospect),  that  while  the  subject  was  before  the  Meeting, 
the  remark  of  John  Churchman  came  into  his  mind,  when,  in 
England  a  large  prospect  opened  towards  other  people,  and  a 
language  followed,  that  there  was  need  of  his  labors  in  our 
Society ;  or  nearly  to  this  amount.  He  said,  he  had  not  men- 
tioned this,  with  the  intention  to  discourage  me  ;  but  I  could 
not  see  anything  in  it  for  several  hours.  At  length  I  dismissed 
part  of  my  company,  and  my  mind  was  turned  towards  White 
Creek,  entirely  another  way.  My  aged  uncle  and  aunt  went 
with  me,  and  we  lay  by  during  seventh  day,  with  my  mind 


64  JOURNAL    OF 

much  depressed  and  under  a  cloud,  and  thick  darkness ;  so 
that  I  was  not  capable  of  being  sociable  with  my  friends.  We 
attended  the  first-day  meeting  there,  in  the  course  of  which  I 
was  favored  with  a  pretty  lively  opening ;  but  as  soon  as  I  came 
out  of  the  house,  distress  came  over  me.  I  felt  almost  amazed, 
so  that  I  could  not  tell  where  to  go,  or  what  to  think  of  myself. 
My  aunt  came  to  me,  and  invited  me  to  go  and  see  a  woman 
who  had  been  long  sick.  I  went  with  her,  but  had  not  been 
long  in  the  house  before  it  was  opened  to  my  mind,  that  the 
sick  woman  was  in  despair,  wearing  out  in  a  decline,  under  the 
affliction  of  all  the  terrifying  ideas  that  the  human  mind  was  ca- 
pable of  realizing.  I  was  led  to  state  her  condition  to  her,  and 
how  she  came  into  it;  and  that  if  she  labored  to  get  into  the 
quiet,  and  then  turned  her  attention  to  the  Lord,  and  pour 
forth  to  Him  her  prayers,  they  would  be  heard  and  she  would 
experience  reconciliation  with  her  God,  and ,  her  peace  to  be 
made,  witnessing  the  seals  of  redeeming  love,  before  she  went 
hence,  to  be  seen  of  men  no  more.  Before  we  left,  she  called 
my  aunt  to  her,  and  told  her  I  had  described  her  thoughts  and 
feelings,  better  than  she  could  herself,  and  that  was  an  evidence 
to  her,  that  I  was  right,  and  now  she  had  hope.  I  was  informed 
afterwards,  by  her  sister  who  nursed  her,  that  she  soon  became 
very  quiet,  and  sometime  before  she  died,  she  expressed,  that 
she  had  become  reconciled  to  her  Maker,  and  was  willing  to 
die  ;  feeling  that  peace  and  love,  which  was  an  evidence  to  her, 
that  her  sins  were  forgiven,  and  she  should  be  happy.  She  de- 
parted easy,  and  quiet. 

We  returned  to  our  lodgings ;  I  felt  easy  and  quiet,  and 
thought  I  saw  why  I  had  been  plunged  into  ^ich  extreme  suf- 
ferings the  afternoon  before  ;  but  still  could  see  no  way  to  move, 
or  what  step  to  take  next,  until  near  nine  o'clock  next  morning, 
when,  sitting  down  with  the  family,  it  opened  clearly  to  me  I 
must  go  to  East  Hoosick  next,  a  place  I  most  dreaded  of  any  I 
knew  of  in  those  parts.  Now,  the  time  had  come,  that  I  must 
go.  I  released  the  company,  except  my  aged  uncle  and  aunt 
who  went  with  me.     It  was  a  good  day's  ride,  so  that  we  got 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  b5 

in  late.  My  mind  was  depressed  with  a  heavy  hearted  feeling 
all  day.  Next  morning,  aunt  proposed  to  go  to  Isaac  Kelley's, 
which  I  felt  free  to  do  ;  but  soon  after  I  mounted  my  horse,  it 
came  into  my  mind,  "  whatsoever  house  or  city  ye  enter,  there 
abide  till  ye  go  thence."  I  told  it  to  my  aunt,  she  advised  me 
to  keep  to  my  own  feelings.  As  soon  as  we  entered  Isaac's 
house,  and  I  had  taken  him  by  the  hand,  I  asked  him  if  he  was 
willing  to  let  me  have  a  room,  where  I  might  be,  and  no  one 
know  that  I  was  there.  He  led  me  into  another  room  ;  it  was 
well  furnished  for  my  accommodation.  There  I  staid  until  near 
sunset,  then  walked  out  on  a  hill,  viewed  the  place  and  re- 
turned. 

I  slept  but  little  that  night,  for  my  distress  kept  with  me, 
and  rather  increased,  so  that  in  the  morning  I  walked  the 
house  pretty  much,  until  one  hour  before  meeting.  I  then 
laid  down  and  dropped  into  a  sweet  sleep.  When  I  awoke, 
rising  up,  I  saw  the  people  gathering  into  the  meeting  house. 
While  looking  at  them  I  felt  as  though  I  should  faint,  and  said 
to  myself,  "  I  cannot  go  into  that  house,  for  I  have  not 
strength  to  get  there  ; "  and  I  sat  down.  I  had  not  sat  long, 
before  a  language  ran  through  me,  "  go !  and  I  will  go  with 
thee,  and  be  thy  strength." 

I  rose  on  my  feet,  and  Avent  to  meeting  feeling  pretty  well 
composed.  I  soon  found  I  had  been  mistaken  with  regard  to 
them  as  I  had  for  years  viewed  them,  very  much  refined  indeed, 
for  they  were  the  most  reserved  in  conversation,  of  any  Friends 
I  ever  saw ;  strictly  uniform  in  their  dress,  and  plain  to  a  nicety. 
Their  select  members  were  so  particular,  that  many  of  our  little 
preachers  hardly  dared  to  speak  before  them.  But  when  I 
came  to  sit  with  them,  I  was  almost  amazed  for  one  hour ;  for, 
instead  of  finding  all  things  in  perfection,  I  could  think  of  but 
little  else,  than  when  the  sons  of  God  met  together,  Satan  came 
also  amongst  them.  I  had  to  take  this  subject  up,  and  show 
them  that  it  was  reasonable  to  believe  that  Job  was  one  of 
those  Sons  of  God,  and  that  Satan  meeting  with  them,  was 
with  an  intent  to  make  an  inroad  amongst  them ;  and  when  ho 


66  JOURNAL    OF 

got  liberty  to  fall  upon  tlie  best  man  amongst  them,  he  soon  ef- 
fected it  by  raising  a  false  zeal  in  Job's  friends,  which  set  them 
accusing  Job  of  that  of  which  he  knew  he  was  not  guilty ;  he 
therefore  knew  their  zeal  was  false,  and  did  not  come  from  God. 
This  made  Job  turn  their  charges  upon  their  own  heads,  until 
the  controversy  ran  so  high,  that  they  charged  each  other  with 
falsehood,  violence,  hypocrisy  and  speaking  wickedly  for  God ; 
and  while  they  strove  to  mend  each  other's  faults  and  neglected 
their  own,  they  made  a  bad  matter  worse.  I  continued,  "  now. 
Friends,  look  and  see  what  an  example  these  peculiar  friends  of 
Job  set ;  these  great,  wise,  and  religious  men,  all  believing  in 
the  one  principle,  and  the  true  God."  I  was  led  to  open  all 
parts  of  the  subject  and  apply  them ;  feeling  Gospel  authority 
to  arise  in  my  mind,  all  fear  of  man  was  taken  away,  and  Di- 
vine Power  raised  into  dominion.  I  was  led  to  press  it  on 
each  of  them,  to  mend  their  own  faults,  as  they  were  the  only 
ones  who  could  do  it,  and  then  there  would  be  nothing  to  dif- 
fer about,  for  that  ended  the  controversy  between  Job  and  his 
friends.  When  this  was  done,  they  could  meet  together  in 
unity,  as  before.  Then  I  addressed  them  thus ;  "  Friends,  look 
to  these  things,  why  are  my  feelings  thus  ?  is  there  not  a  cause  ? 
And  why  should  those  who  have  been  anointed  with  royal  oil, 
and  have  borne  the  shield  of  God  in  the  day  of  battle,  whose 
sword  returned  not  empty  from  the  slaughter — why  should  it 
be  said  of  thee  they  have  vilely  fallen  on  the  mountains  of  Gil- 
boa,  as  though  the  shield  had  not  befen  anointed  with  oil? 
Publish  it  not  in  Gath,  tell  it  not  in  the  streets  of  Askelon,  lest 
the  Philistines  rejoice,  and  the  daughters  of  the  uncircumcised 
triumph."  With  these  words,  I  think  I  sat  down,  finding  my 
mind  well  relieved,  and  feeling  as  if  I  was  in  a  new  world.  Af- 
ter meeting,  several  Friends  came  to  the  house  where  I  stopped 
and  showed  a  disposition  for  conversation,  but  I  felt  cautious, 
believing -it  was  best'for  me  to  keep  pretty  quiet,  though  I  felt 
a  freedom  to  go  to  some  of  their  houses.  But  all  kept  still, 
except  asking  me  a  few  questions,  which  I  briefly  answered. 
Next  morning,  as  soon  as  I  awoke,  it  came  into  my  mind, 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  67 

"  Get  tliee  out  as  thou  came  in."  I  mused  a  little  upon  it,  and 
a  second  language  ran  through  my  mind,  "  thou  came  in  here 
knowing  nothing  of  what  is  among  them ;  now,  get  thee  out 
knowing  nothing ;  this  is  best  for  thee."  I  got  directly  up, 
put  on  my  clothes,  got  some  victuals  as  soon  as  I  could,  took 
leave  of  my  Friends,  mounted  my  horse,  and  went  direct  home, 
leaving  my  uncle  and  aunt  there,  and  heard  no  more  from  them 
for  several  months.  Here  ended  my  prospect,  that  the  Month- 
ly Meeting  had  approbated ;  it  has  never  returned  to  me  since. 
I  have  had  to  remember  the  old  Friend's  remark,  having  found 
more  need  of  my  labors  at  that  time,  among  Friends  than  other 
people. 

Several  months  after  this,  I  fell  ill  company  with  aunt  again. 
She  asked  me  if  I  had  heard  from  Hoosick  since  I  was  there. 
I  let  her  know  I  had  not.  She  remarked,  she  would  now  let 
me  know  how  it  was,  as  she  thought  I  now  could  bear  it,  and 
that  she  believed  it  was  well  I  came  away  when  I  did  ;  for,  had 
I  staid,  and  heard  matters  talked  up  as  she  did,  she  thought 
likely  it  would  have  been  too  much  for  me  to  bear.  It  was 
wonderful  how  I  was  led,  and  that  the  parties  on  all  hands  were 
exceedingly  broken  down  under  it,  and  that  she  and  uncle  staid 
and  labored  with  them  until  they  brought  them  to  a  settlement, 
and  an  agreement  to  drop  all  matters  past,  and  be  at  peace  one 
with  another.  She  informed,  that  the  contention  began  amongst 
the  Select  members,  and  had  divided  the  whole  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, and  spread  far  among  other  people.  She  then  observed, 
"  so  thou  may  see  thy  sufferings  were  not  for  nothing,  and  now 
thy  way  is  clear  with  Friends  there." 

I  made  a  number  of  little  visits  in  the  compass  of  my  own 
quarter,  in  the  course  of  a  year  or  two,  generally  to  the  satis- 
faction of  Friends  and  others,  and  much  to  the  satisfaction  of 
my  own  mind.  I  was  often  brought  to  admire  the  wonderful 
goodness  of  God,  in  supporting  my  mind,  and  carrying  me 
through,  where  there  seemed  to  be  no  way.  Blessed  be  His 
adorable  goodness. 

After  a  few  years,  I  felt  my  mind  drawn  to  perform  a  rehgious 


68  JOURNAL    OF 

visit  to  my  native  place,  and  parts  adjacent.  I  laid  this  pros- 
pect before  the  Monthly  Meeting,  and  had  its  full  unity,  but 
having  lost  my  minutes  of  that  journey,  I  can  leave  no  more 
than  occurs  clearly  to  my  memory.  I  set  out  in  the  beginning 
of  winter,  with  Eeuben  Peckham  for  my  companion.  After 
taking  a  few  meetings  about  Easton,  we  rode  to  Coeyman's 
Patent.  On  our  way,  we  fell  in  with  a  little  preacher  by  the 
name  of  Rowland  Robinson,  who  kept  our  company  for  several 
weeks.  Before  we  got  to  our  quarters  at  night  at  Coeyman's, 
we  passed  a  house,  and  saw  a  plain  man  at  the  door.  The 
sight  of  him  struck  my  mind  with  a  disagreeable  feeling,  and 
Rowland's  as  much  so.  I  concluded  he  was  not  what  he  ap- 
peared to  be,  for  he  appeared  to  be  a  plain  Friend.  We  pass- 
ed on  nearly  a  mile,  and  put  up  at  Jonathan  Souls.  Not  feel- 
ing easy  about  the  man  we  had  passed,  we  enquired  after  him, 
and  were  informed  that  he  was  a  solid  Friend,  who  had  been  re- 
ceived a  member  not  a  great  while  since.  This  increased  our 
exercise,  so  next  morning  we  walked  back,  and  made  the 
family  a  visit,  not  feeling  easy  to  omit  it.  Pretty  soon  Row-' 
land  addressed  the  widow  and  fatherless,  and  for  awhile  I  could 
not  see  what  he  was  at,  though  there  was  an  aged  widow  in  the 
family  and  we  knew  it  not.  But  he  did  not  apply  his  commu- 
nication there ;  which  caused  a  serious  exercise  to  come  over 
my  mind  how  we  should  come  out ;  and  while  thus  musing,  it 
came  upon  me  with  weight,  and  an  awful  feeling,  in  this  Ian-- 
guage :  "When  a  man  neglects  his  wife,  withdraws  his  affec- 
tions from  her,  and  does  not  provide  for  her  and  her  children, 
then  his  wife  becomes  a  widow  and  the  children  fatherless, 
while  he  is  yet  in  the  body ;  and  when  this  is  done  with  the 
view  of  religion,  believing  it  to  be  duty,  it  was  the  temptation 
of  Satan,  and  the  works  of  darkness,  which  God  would  blast  in 
the  end."  As  soon  as  Rowland  stopped  speaking,  I  was  ready 
and  the  words  went  through  me,  I  thought,  like  a  flaming 
sword,  and  caused  the  man  to  tremble.  Then  I  was  led  to 
show  how  people  got  into  such  darkness,  and  what  they  had  to 
take  heed  to,  to  come  out  of  it ;  as  also  what  would  be  their 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  69 

reasonings  to  uphold  such  wrong  principles,  and  with  what  con- 
fidence, and  hardness  of  heart  it  would  oppose  all  that  was  right 
or  of  the  Lord.  I  closed  my  service  to  the  forsaken  and  afflict- 
ed, directing  to  keep  in  the  patience,  with  the  mind  resigned 
to  the  Providence  of  God  ;  casting  all  care,  and  placing  all  con- 
fidence in  Him  ;  then  every  tribulation  would  be  sanctified  to 
us,  and  every  bitter  cup  would  be  sweetened  in  the  end,  with 
the  reward  of  peace.  When  we  concluded  the  visit,  the  woman 
and  wife  took  me  by  the  hand,  with  tears  on  her  face,  and  ex- 
claimed, "I  am  a  widow,  and  no  widow  neither."  I  turned 
and  took  the  man  by  the  hand,  he  looked  me  in  the  face,  with 
a  fiery  countenance,  and  said  "I  am  dead,  and  burnt  up,  there 
is  none  of  the  old  corrupt  nature  in  me,  it  is  all  consumed ;  I 
have  no  power  to  gratify  the  flesh,"  I  let  him  know  that  the 
spirit  that  separated  man  and  wife,  was  the  devil,  and  under 
the  curse,  and  so  parted.  We  told  Friends,  how  we  found 
them,  and  they  went  forward,  searched  into  the  matter,  and 
found  things  every  way  as  they  appeared  to  us,  and  that  the 
man  had  been  in  full  communion  with  the  ranting  Shakers,  se- 
'cretly,  for  several  months,  for  which  he  was  disowned. 

From  here,  we  passed  to  Hudson,  and  then  down  the  west 
side  of  the  river,  taking  all  the  meetings  down,  as  far  as  Friends 
then  lived,  besides  having  a  number  of  meetings  amongst  other 
people,  in  all  of  which,  the  merciful  Shepherd  of  Israel  was 
pleased  to  open  and  direct  our  way,  and  favor  with  His  life- 
giving  presence,  so  that  our  visit  was  much  more  acceptable 
amongst  Friends,  than  I  expected,  and  abundantly  so  amongst 
other  people. 

There  was  one  occurrence  in  this  part  of  my  journey  I  do 
not  feel  easy  to  omit.  When  at  Gokeat,  a  meeting  consisting 
mostly  of  Friends,  who  joined  Society  by  convincement ; 
after  I  had,  as  I  thought,  cleared  my  mind  in  a  pretty  large 
mixed  gathering  and  had  sat  down,  it  soon  opened  in  my  mind 
in  such  clearness  that  there  was  no  room  to  doubt,  that  I  must 
communicate  what  was  shown  me.  I  stood  up  with  these 
words,  "  I  sat  down  expecting  I  had  cleared  my  mind,  but 


70  JOURNAL    OF 

since  taking  my  seat  it  lias  appeared  to  me  that  there  are  tliose 
in  this  meeting,  who  in  days  past  were  convinced  of  the  Truth 
and  covenanted  with  the  Lord  that  they  would  be  His,  and 
serve  Him  ;  and  when  this  was  the  case  they  walked  to- 
gether in  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  and  were  each  other's  joy  in 
the  Lord ;  but  now  they  had  got  settled  down  in  the  love  of 
the  world,  and  were  at  variance  about  Interest  matters,  so  as  to 
censure  each  other  with  fraud  and  falsehoods,  and  this  publicly, 
before  neighbors,  so  as  to  be  a  stumbling  block  and  a  proverb 
in  their  mouths.  Friends,  this  will  not  do — if  you  do  not  stop 
and  return  to  your  first  love  the  Lord  will  take  the  crown  from 
your  heads  and  put  it  on  the  heads  of  them  who  will  be  more 
righteous  than  you  are."  I  delivered  considerable  more  that  I 
do  not  remember.  After  meeting  we  stopped  near  by  to  take 
dinner,  and  while  there,  I  was  called  into  another  room. 
There  lay  a  man  on  the  bed  weeping,  who  confessed  that  he 
and  his  cousin,  who  were  both  at  meeting,  were  guilty,  for  they 
had  been  at  variance  sometime  about  Interest ;  and  only  the 
day  before  they  were  invited  with  a  number  more  to  help  a 
neighbor,  and  there  they  got  to  talking  on  the  subject,  got  into 
a  quari'el  and  gave  each  other  the  lie,  and  threatened  to  com- 
plain of,  and  turn  each  other  out  of  the  meeting ;  and  that  their 
neighbors  who  heard  them  quarrel  were  at  meeting  to-day,  and 
he  could  not  live  so,  but  must  have  it  settled,  and  wanted  me 
to  assist.  I  referred  it  to  other  Friends,  they  were  called  in, 
and  the  business  was  settled  on  the  spot ;  but  I  was  told  his 
cousin  was  very  obstinate.  At  length  the  penitent  told  the 
other  he  would  give  up  all  his  demands,  though  he  suifered 
loss ;  the  other  concluded  if  he  would  settle  so  he  would  settle 
with  him,  and  so  the  matter  ended  with  them.  I  was  at  that 
meeting  a  number  of  years  after,  and  found  the  penitent  man 
a  substantial  Friend,  and  one  of  the  main  pillars  of  that  meet- 
ing ;  the  stubborn  one  had  gone  out,  was  disowned,  and  had 
become  a  poor  creature,  doubtless  reaping  the  blast  of  his  de- 
parting from  his  first-love.  I  was  informed  these  two  were 
very  intimate  when  they  came  among  Friends. 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  71 

After  getting  through  these  parts,  we  crossed  the  river  and 
visited  Oswego,  Apoquage,  and  all  the  Oblong  meetings, 
and  having  cleared  my  mind  in  these  parts,  witnessing  the  arm 
of  Israel's  Shepherd  to  strengthen  and  carry  me  through  many 
deep  wadings  and  painfal  exercises,  and  to  give  strength  to 
clear  my  mind  so  as  to  feel  peace  and  solid  satisfaction.  We 
then  proceeded  to  Nine  Partners,  my  native  place.  Here  a 
field  of  labor  opened,  not  only  amongst  Friends,  but  others ; 
and  the  Lord  favored  me  from  day  to  day  with  life  and  gospel 
authority  in  my  labors.  This  gladdened  the  heart  of  many  of 
my  friends  who  feared  how  it  would  turn  with  me  when  I 
moved  from  them ;  it  was  a  time  of  comfort  to  us  all.  From 
here  we  went  to  Hudson,  crossed  the  river,  and  had  a  number 
of  meetings  amongst  other  people,  and  had  extensive  labor  be- 
ing much  enlarged  while  there.  When  I  bad  cleared  my 
mind  in  these  parts,  I  felt  at  liberty  to  return  home,  after  being 
absent,  (I  think,)  more  than  three  months,  and  found  my  family 
and  friends  well  and  glad  to  see  me  return. 

The  next  visit  of  any  considerable  length  of  time  that  I  find 
any  account  of  was  pretty  much  through  the  old  part  of  our 
Yearly  Meeting ;  but  the  date  is  lost.  I  remember  this  was  a 
very  exercising  prospect  to  me,  for  I  should  have  to  visit  all 
the  meetings  where  I  had  my  former  difficulties  and  had  suf- 
fered so  much,  that  I  thought  I  was  willing  to  undergo  any- 
thing that  could  be  endured  for  peace  sake. 

I  laid  my  concern  before  Friends,  had  their  unity,  and  pro- 
ceeded on  my  journey  in  the  early  part  of  the  winter,  having 
Stephen  Rogers,  of  Danby,  an  elderly  Friend,  for  companion. 
He  had  large  acquaintance  through  the  Yearly  Meeting,  was  in 
good  standing,  and  was  of  good  use  to  me  in  this  journey. 
We  visited,  I  think,  nearly  all  the  meetings  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Hudson  river  as  we  went,  till  we  arrived  at  New  York,  where 
we  made  a  stop  for  several  days.  Here,  I  may  remark,  that 
■we  passed  along  pretty  smoothly  until  we  got  into  the  compass 
of  Purchase  Monthly  Meeting,  and  though  no  outward  opposi- 
tion appeared,  yet  from  meeting  to  meeting  it  seemed   like 


V2  JOURNAL    OF 

standing  in  front  of  castle  walls  and  bulwarks.  But  it  wad 
marvellous  to  me  that  the  Holy  Shepherd  of  Israel  so  harnessed 
my  mind  with  strength  and  fortitude  that  all  the  castles  could 
not  stop  the  current  of  Gospel  life ;  my  mind  being  led  into  the 
states  of  meetings  so  clearly  that  it  was  acknowledged  by 
Friends  to  my  companion,  from  place  to  place,  that  they  did  not 
expect  it  from  me  ;  and  they  believed  it  was  right  I  was  there 
in  this  manner.  The  adorable  goodness  of  the  Almighty,  sus- 
tained and  carried  me  through ;  blessed  be  His  name. 

I  now  return  to  where  I  digressed  from.  After  staying  sev- 
eral  days  at  New  York,  and  having  some  close  service  there, 
our  minds  feeling  clear,  we  proceeded  to  Flushing,  and  had  a 
pretty  full  meeting  there  ;  and  the  day  following  we  were  at 
Cow  Neck.  Here  my  companion  had  to  come  to  plain  work, 
as  he  sometimes  had  a  little  testimony  to  bear.  I  had  to  fol'- 
low  on  and  bear  a  testimony  against  covetousness,  and  neigh- 
bors injuring  each  other  in  interest  or  credit ;  showing  that  it 
promoted  hardness  between  families,  spread  discord  in  Society, 
and  did  abundance  of  hurt.  I  showed  them  how  different  this 
spirit  was  from  that  disposition  which  endured  all  things,  with 
meekness  and  patience,  for  the  testimony  of  Jesus,  and  a  good 
conscience.  Here  we  met  with  our  worthy  Friend,  Gideon 
Seaman,  who  took  us  home  with  him.  The  next  day  we  were 
at  Matinicock  Meeting,  and  the  day  following,  had  an  appointed 
meeting  at  Westbury,  where  I  had  to  warn  them  against  a 
worldly  spirit.  Next  we  went  to  a  place  called  Half  Hollow 
Hills,  a  little  meeting  that  had  much  run  down  by  disunity 
among  themselves.  This  was  a  laborious,  suffering  time  with 
us.  The  next  was  Bethpage,  where  we  had  a  pretty  good 
meeting,  which  ended  to  satisfaction.  Thence  we  went  to 
Jericho ;  notice  having  been  given,  there  was  a  large  gathering. 
I  expected  a  fine  meeting,  where  there  were  so  many  good 
folks,  but  was  sadly  disappointed,  for  my  mind  was  dipped  into 
a  sense  that  many  in  that  place  had  attained  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  Truth,  so  as  to  know  it,  when  they  felt  it,  but  were  not 
enough  concerned  to  live  in  the  life  and  spirit  of  it.    They  had 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  73 

settled  on  their  beds  of  ease,  and  were  disposed  to  stretch  on 
their  couches  of  ivory.     I  had  to  come  to  plain  work,  and 
sound  an  alarm  among  them.      I  was  told  after  meeting,  by  a 
Minister,  who  was  there,  that  a  little  before,  he  had  to  deliver 
the  same  testimony,  almost  word  for  word,  at  that  place.     So 
I  found  I  was  not  alone.     We  returned  to  Gideon  Seaman's  to 
lodge,  in  company  with  Fry  and  Anna  Willis,  who  had  been 
with  us  for  several  days.     In  the  evening,  several  Friends  came 
in  to  see  us,  we  being  about  to  depart  next  day.     While  to- 
gether, one  Friend  remarked,  they  were  all  glad  of  my  visit,  and 
believed  it  was  right ;  that  I  might  return  not  only  with  peace 
of  mind,  but  with  the  satisfactinn  that  I  was  well  accepted  by 
Friends.     This  gave  great  relief  to  my  mind,  for  it  gave  reason 
to  hope  that  the  old  prejudices  were  now  removed.     The  next 
day  (I  think)  we  set  forward  for  New  York,  in  order  to  reach 
their  Monthly  Meeting,  and  got  in  timely.     Here  my  compan- 
ion received  a  letter,  informing  that  his  son,  with  whom  he  left 
his  business,  was  taken  deranged,  yet  he  kept  wit!i  me  until  we 
reached  Amawalk ;    he  then  went  home,  and  I  crossed  the 
Hudson  river,  where  I  spent  the  remaining  part  of  the  winter, 
travelling  without  any  steady  companion.     I  continued  diligent 
and  seldom  missed  attending  a  meeting  a  day,  and  sometimes 
two,  until  I  got  to  Coeyman's,  where  I  was  taken  sick  with  a 
severe  cold,  occasioned  by  hard  traveling  and  much  exposure, 
which  stopped  me  for  several  days.     After  my  recovery,  I  went 
pretty  direct  home,  found  my  family  well,  to  my  great  comfort 
and  their  joy,  after  being  absent,  I  think,  over  five  months. 

I  had  thought  to  omit  the  followmg  event,  but  an  uneasy 
feeling  pervading  my  mind,  therefore  I  record  it.  Near  the 
close  of  the  above  stated  visit  while  at  Smith's  Clove  meeting, 
the  last  I  expected  to  attend  in  this  vicinity,  except  one  in 
course  next  day,  near  the  close  of  the  meeting,  it  came  over 
my  mind  with  weight,  to  appoint  three  more  meetings  before  I 
left.  I  exclaimed  in  my  mind,  "  I  cannot  for  I  have  been  five 
months  from  home,  spring's  work  is  coming  on,  and  I  am  in 
low  circumstances,  and  must  go  home."     So  I  broke  up  the 


JOURNAL    OF 


meeting ;  a  Friend  came  to  me  at  the  door  and  expressed  that 
his  feelings  were  sucli  that  he  wanted  me  to  have  three  more 
meetings,  and  named  the  places.  I  replied  short,  I  have  set 
my  face  homeward,  I  do  not  intend  to  turn  to  the  right  or  left, 
feeling  determined  that  home  I  would  go.  I  had  not  rode  far 
before  my  horse  on  a  brisk  trot,  fell  through  the  frost;  he 
threw  me  over  his  head  with  force ;  I  dropped  on  my  head. 
A  Friend  riding  behind  said,  he  heard  my  neck  snap  like  a 
dry  stick,  and  that  I  arose  on  my  feet  with  a  smile,  but  fell 
back  on  the  ground.  I  knew  nothing  until  I  found  myself 
stayed  up,  sitting  on  the  ground,  feeling  as  though  I  had  awoke 
out  of  sleep ;  but  soon  felt  such  sharp  pain  in  my  neck  and 
head  that  it  seemed  almost  insupportable.  I  was  taken  by 
short  stages  to  the  Friend's  house,  where  the  meeting  was  held 
that  I  expected  to  attend,  which  I  think  was  the  next  day.  I 
kept  my  bed  mostly,  until  meeting  time  next  day,  my  neck 
being  much  swollen,  with  a  hard  ring  round  it,  which  felt 
more  like  a  bone  than  flesh,  and  looked  nearly  black,  so  that 
my  case  was  thought  dangerous.  But  through  Divine  mercy, 
I  had  a  number  of  hours  for  reflection  in  which  my  feelings 
were  solemn.  When  meeting  time  came,  I  was  placed  on  a 
bed  in  the  room  where  the  meeting  was  held,  it  being  my  de- 
sire. In  the  early  part  of  the  meeting  a  voice  spoke  to  me  as 
intelligibly  as  ever  I  heard  a  vocal  sound,  saying ;  "  if  thou 
wilt  go  back  and  have  the  three  meetings,  I,  the  Lord,  who 
have  wounded  thee,  and  stopped  thee  in  thy  career,  will  ena- 
ble to  perform  all  I  require  of  thee.  And  this  shall  be 
an  evidence  to  thee  that  I,  the  Lord,  speak  to  thee ;  thou  shalt 
be  enabled  to  bear  a  testimony  for  me  in  this  meeting."  Un- 
der the  impressions  of  this  voice  my  mind  was  brought  into  a 
calm,  and  it  appeared  to  my  view  how  it  was  and  why  it  was 
that  I  was  brought  into  this  situation;  and  also  that  it  was 
off"ensive  to  the  Almighty  and  dangerous  for  man,  who  knew 
the  Lord's  will,  stubbornly  to  disobey.  My  mind  was  serious- 
ly humbled,  my  spirit  contrite  before  the  Lord,  and  I  was  glad 
to  feel  the  smile  of  forgiving  mercy  once  more,  being  made 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  15 

willing  to  give  up  all  to  his  disposal.  Towards  the  close  of  the 
meeting,  with  the  help  of  my  companion,  unexpected  to  my 
friends,  I  rose  on  my  feet,  and  was  enabled,  I  believe,  to  bear 
an  acceptable  testimony  to  my  Friends,  and  felt  great  peace  of 
mind  for  the  obedience,  my  pains  also  were  much  mitigated. 

At  the  close  of  the  meeting  I  called  a  Friend  to  me,  agreea- 
bly to  the  opening  of  Light  on  my  mind,  and  desired  him  to 
go  to  the  nearest  place,  and  give  notice  of  a  meeting  for  the  next 
day,  and  see  that  word  was  sent  to  the  other  two  places,  one  in 
the  day  and  the  other  in  the  evening.  He  answered  me  ;  "  I 
have  not  faith  to  believe  thou  cans't  possibly  do  it."  I  answer- 
ed I  have  faith  enough  for  both  of  us ;  the  meetings  must  b'e  ap- 
pointed." He  went,  and  did  accordingly.  Next  day  I  rode 
(I  think),  twelve  miles,  reached  the  place  in  good  season,  and 
had  a  satisfactory  meeting.  Next  day  and  evening,  attended  the 
other  two,  much  to  the  relief  of  my  mind ;  but  had  to  endure 
considerable  pain,  all  which  1  bore  with  cheerfulness,  seeing  I 
brought  it  on  myself.  I  much  desire  that  when  my  children 
read  these  lines  they  may  pause  a  little  and  behold  the  tender 
mercies  of  Jehovah,  when  under  the  chastening  rod,  to  spare 
life  even  when  in  the  jaws  of  death  ;  and  when  rightly  sought 
unto,  equally  tender  to  forgive,  heal,  and  give  ability  to  do  all 
He  requires  of  us ;  richly  rewarding  the  obedient  with  heavenly 
peace  for  doing  their  duty,  which  they  could  not  do  without 
this  holy  help.  Adored  forever  be  His  holy  name !  for  He  is 
worthy  thereof.  Dear  children,  let  the  first  be  a  warning  and 
the  latter  an  encouragement  to  faithfulness  of  duty,  through 
vour  generation. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Having  brought  my  account  thus  far,  I  go  back  to  the  time  of 
our  becoming  tliougbtful  of  having  a  Preparative  meeting.  This 
also  met  with  strong  opposition,  some  members  openly  declared 
against  it,  that  discipline  always  promoted  contention,  and  did 
more  hurt  than  good ;  which  backened  the  work  for  a  while, 
until  Friends  abroad  grew  uneasy ;  consequently  the  opposition 
ceased.  But  one  member  told  me  if  we  obtained  meetings  for 
discipline  I  should  never  live  to  see  the  day  that  Friends  would 
live  peaceably  and  happy  together ;  notwithstanding,  we  went 
forward  and  obtained  a  Preparative  meeting,  and  affairs  went 
along  pretty  smoothly  for  a  few  years.  These  same  opposers 
came  forward  in  our  meetings  for  business,  and  affected  to  be 
w^ell  satisfied  with  order,  at  the  same  time  taking  much  pains 
to  ingratiate  themselves  into  the  esteem  of  Friends  abroad,  un- 
til they  thought  they  had  got  strong  enough,  then  they 
broke  out  and  endeavored  to  destroy  the  influence  and  credit 
of  every  faithful  honest  friend,  who  dared  to  oppose  them. 
This  gave  Friends  abundance  of  trouble  for  about  fw^enty  years, 
until  the  death  of  a  member  who  said  it  should  be  so.  Some 
of  his  aids  soon  followed  him,  since  which,  that  spirit  has  much 
subsided  amongst  us,  and  we  are  at  peace  in  doing  church  busi- 
ness. 

I  now  leave  this  subject  (as  I  shall  in  the  course  of  the  nar- 
rative have  recourse  to  some  of  the  events  which  transpired 
during  that  time,)  and  turn  my  attention  to  the  labors  of  my- 
self and  bosom  companion.  We  being  placed  in  a  new  coun- 
try, w^hich  was  filling  up  with  people  of  every  society,  or  nearly 
so,  in  our  land;  the  priests  not  being  anxious  to  crowd  in  un- 


JOSEPH    HO  AG.  11 

til  some  more  favorable  prospect  of  pecuniary  advantages  could 
be  obtained,  the  people  were  thus  left  destitute  of  preachers,  so 
that  there  was  great  openness.  We  often  felt  our  minds  drawn 
to  have  meetings  amongst  them ;  the  Lord  blessed  our  labors, 
many  became  convinced  and  joined  our  Society.  A  number  of 
these  are  faithful  members  to  the  present  day.  This  increase, 
with  young  Friends  moving  in,  soon  caused  meetings  to  be 
settled  at  Peru,  Grand  Isle  and  Lincoln,  all  which  soon  became 
Preparative  Meetings.  This  relation  may  show  you  my  chil- 
dren, how  the  Lord  blesses  the  labors  of  the  faithful  to  their  en- 
couragement and  comfort,  and  to  the  praise  of  His  ever  adora- 
ble name.  We  found  it  our  duty  when  at  home  to  be  faithful 
in  attending  our  meetings,  so  that  the  two  first  years  we  used 
to  walk  over  four  miles,  twice  a  week,  spring,  summer  and  fall : 
In  winter  I  used  my  oxen  for  a  team,  taking  all  our  family  with 
us.  Starting  about  sun-rise,  we  could  get  to  meeting  seasona- 
bly, and  home  about  sun-set.  When  I  got  able  to  buy  and 
keep  a  horse  for  your  mother  to  ride,  I  felt  rich.  Oh !  dear 
children,  I  want,  if  any,  or  all  of  you,  should  arrive  at  easy  cir- 
cumstances, that  you  remember  whence  you  have  risen,  and 
always  let  a  thankful  and  humble  mind  be  your  inner  gar- 
ment, that  the  blessing  of  the  dew  of  heaven  may  rest  upon 
you.  Friends  got  along  in  the  main,  pretty  well,  until  we  got 
several  settled  meetings,  and  others  began,  when  we  thought  it 
time  to  have  a  Monthly  Meeting  of  our  own  ;  we  made  a  re- 
quest, and  obtained  it,  with  Danby  added. 

Having  lived  here  from  about  the  age  of  twenty-eight  to 
thirty-eight  years,  and  meetings  thus  far  settled  in  order,  and 
my  family  as  comfortably  situated  as  the  circumstances  of  a 
new  country  would  admit,  my  estate  being  nearly  clear  of  debt, 
I  found  my  mind  impressed  from  day  to-day  with  a  prospect 
of  paying  a  religious  visit  to  the  inhabitants  of  Nova  Scotia, 
and  the  adjoining  British  Provinces,  and  to  Friends  with  others, 
generally  in  New  England.  After  considering  the  importance 
of  the  subject  for  several  months,  the  Lord  gave  me  to  see 
clearly  that  the  time  was  come  to  inform  Friends  of  my  con- 


78  JOURNAL    OF 

cern,  which  I  coinplied  with  at  the  next  Monthly  Meeting,  un- 
der a  feeling  sense  of  the  greatness  of  the  undertaking.  The 
meeting  took  up  the  subject  and  appointed  a  commitee  to  con- 
sider the  matter  and  report.  Some  Danby  Friends  being  on 
the  committee,  one  of  whom  having  much  influence  in  his  own 
meeting,  drew  the  line  at  once  that  I  should  not  go  unless  I 
would  give  up  all  my  prospect  on  British  ground.  This,  I 
could  not,  and  dared  not  do,  so  they  kept  it  along  about  one 
year  without  giving  a  decided  report  At  length  the  concern 
left  me,  as  though  it  had  never  been ;  of  this  I  inTormed  the 
meeting.  It  seemed  to  shock  the  Friends  who  had  held  back  ; 
the  business  dropped  here.  I  felt  no  more  of  it  for  more  than 
a  year,  being  quite  easy ;  but  those  Friends  who  held  back, 
were  much  uneasy  the  whole  time. 

When  I  opened  my  prospect  again,  in  the  year  1800,  the 
meeting  gave  me  a  certificate  expressive  of  full  unity ;  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  endorsed  it,  and  it  appears  by  the  minutes 
1  kept,  that  I  took  a  solemn  leave  of  my  family  on  the  fifth  of 
first  month,  1801,  and  traveled  one  hundred  miles  within  the 
verge  of  our  own  Yearly  Meeting ;  having  had  twelve  meetings 
during  the  time,  mostly  amongst  those  not  of  our  Society, 
where  there  appeared  much  openness. 

When  this  service  was  accomplished,  the  Friend  who  was 
with  me  returned  home,  and  I  went  to  Danby  to  fall  in  with 
my  other  company,  arriving  in  time  to  be  at  their  first  day 
meeting,  which  was  an  exercising  one ;  but  through  the  aid 
of  Holy  help  I  was  enabled  to  clear  my  mind  to  the  several 
states  brought  before  me,  so  as  to  feel  well  relieved. 

From  here  we  set  forward  for  Richmond;  crossing  the 
Green  Mountains,  we  reached  there  on  second-day  evening,  the 
26th  of  the  month,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on  the  2'7th. 
Here,  deep  suffering  was  my  lot ;  patience  seemed  the  only 
stay  for  a  while  ;  it  appeared  to  be  much  of  a  barren  place  every 
way. 

From  here  we  went  to  Orange,  a  small  meeting,  there  being 
notice  given  of  our  coming,  a  number  of  their  neighbors  cdSne. 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  79 

In  this  meeting  my  mind  was  bowed,  and  brought  into  a  re- 
newed sense  of  the  dependent  state  in  which  the  human  family 
stood,  not  able  to  help  themselves,  nor  to  help  others  without 
Divine  aid  and  support;  therefore  the  Lord  only  is  to  be 
looked  unto,  and  waited  for,  who  was  pleased,  at  this  meeting, 
to  cause  His  holy  presence  to  be  felt  amongst  us,  to  the  ten- 
dering and  encouraging  of  some  minds.  After  meeting,  we 
rode  until  in  the  evening.  The  day  following,  there  fell  a 
heavy  rain  with  hail.  This  made  me  thoughtful  of  my  health, 
but  finding  Uxbridge  Monthly  meeting  to  come  the  next  day, 
I  felt  most  easy  to  go  forward.  Though  the  storm  was  severe, 
I  took  no  cold,  and  arrived  in  season  to  attend  that  meeting, 
held  on  the  thirtieth  of  first  month,  at  which  I  found  it  painM 
to  be  baptized  for  the  dead,  who  were  wrapped  up  in  a  worldly 
spirit,  and  buried  deep  in  the  earth ;  who  called  self-confidence 
righteousness,  and  have  made  it  a  bed,  or  couch  of  ivory  to 
stretch  upon. 

I  had  to  arise  under  the  w^eight  of  the  subject,  bear  a  faith- 
ful testimony  against  such  Babels,  and  sound  an  alarm  to  those 
who  were  at  ease  in  Zion.  My  mind  was  relieved  and  com- 
forted in  feeling  the  arm  of  Israel's  Shepherd,  to  be  under- 
neath, and  strong  in  the  time  of  battle ;  blessed  be  His  holy 
name  !  The  meeting  for  business  was  exercising ;  that  which 
glorified  Israel  and  comforted  Jacob,  appeared  very  low,  and 
suff'ering  appeared  to  be  the  bitter  meat  of  the  upright  in  heart. 
Near  the  close  of  the  business  I  was  enabled  to  clear  my  mm4t 
so  as  to  feel  easy. 

The  day  following  we  traveled  to  Leicester,  attended  their 
meeting  on  first-day,  in  which  painful  travail  and  searching  of 
heart  was  my  lot ;  blessed  be  the  Lord  whose  arm  was  under- 
neath !  He  gave  strength  to  bear  the  testimony  He  required, 
to  the  peace  of  my  mind,  and  I  hope  to  the  praise  of  His  holy 
name.  We  went  next  to  Bolton  and  attended  their  Monthly 
Meeting,  held  the  2d  day  of  2d  month.  Here  the  Holy  One 
was  graciously  pleased  to  be  near  His  people  and  feed  His 


80  JOURNAL    OF 

flock,  to  the  refreshing  of  His  heritage  ;  blessed  be  His  name ! 
may  Israel  now  say,  for  His  mercy  endureth  forever ! 

On  the  third  we  lay  by  and  rested ;  the  fourth  had  a  meet- 
ing at  Northbridge,  and  on  the  fifth  day  of  the  week,  had  one 
at  Mendon.  This  appeared  to  be  an  old  meeting  nearly  run 
down.  On  sixth  day  we  were  again  at  Uxbridge  Meeting.  On 
seventh  day  we  had  a  meeting  at  Douglas.  The  first  of  the 
week  and  eighth  of  the  month  we  attended  a  meeting  at  Smith- 
field,  called  Winsocket.  At  this  place  the  gospel  flowed  freely  ; 
it  was  a  good,  comfortable  meeting  to  us. 

After  proceeding  thus  far,  I  felt  a  full  stop ;  but  after  several 
hours  of  serious  musing,  my  way  opened  clear  to  attend  a 
Quarterly  Meeting  for  the  Province  of  Maine.  I  informed 
Friends  of  my  prospect ;  they  soon  furnished  me  with  a  com- 
panion. The  next  day  Nicholas  Battey  and  I  pursued  our 
journey,  having  to  ride  one  hundred  and  forty  miles  as  soon  a» 
we  could  well  perform  it.  On  our  way,  a  number  of  miles  be- 
fore we  got  where  the  Quarterly  Meeting  was  to  be  held,  we 
came  to  a  small  settlement  of  Friends  near  night,  who  held  a 
meeting.  It  came  into  my  mind  that  we  could  have  a 
meeting  there  early  next  morning,  and  reach  the  Quarter. 
We  being  at  the  house  where  they  held  their  meeting.  I 
opened  niy  prospect  to  the  man ;  he  answered  me  short,  and 
left  the  Tohm,  but  soon  returned.  I  resumed  the  subject,  he 
.'§nswered  as  before,  and  left  the  room  again.  This  so  afi'ected 
my  feelings  that  I  went  into  another  room  and  lay  down. 
My  companion  then  took  hold  of  the  subject  and  obtained  lib- 
erty for  the  appointment.  We  got  an  active  young  man  to 
give  notice  that  evening.  In  the  morning  we  had  a  large 
gathering  and  a  solid  favored  time,  so  much  so,  that  the  Friend 
acknowledged  the  meeting  to  be  right,  and  that  his  objection 
was,  he  thought  neither  of  us  looked  as-  though  we  conld 
preach,  and  he  did  not  want  the  people  to  be  disappointed ; 
but  he  would  never  do  so  again,  so  we  parted.  We  rode  that 
day  hard,  and  the  next  day  fifteen  miles,  before  meeting ;  it 
being  a  select  one,  and  gathered  when  we  arrived,  and  my 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  81 

companion  a  private  member,  I  had  to  go  in  where  there  was 
not  one  face  that  I  ever  saw  before.  There  appeared  the  most 
general  gravity  and  exact  uniformity  in  dress  and  deportment 
that  I  ever  noticed.  Oh !  I  exclaimed  in  my  mind,  what  a  fine 
body  of  solid  Friends  here  is. 

It  was  not  long  before  all  turned  dark  and  painful.  I  said  in 
myself,  what  does  this  mean  ?  It  came  forcibly  into  my  mind, 
that  when  the  Sons  of  God  met  together,  Satan  came  also ; 
and  his  first  work  was,  (as  fast  as  he  was  suffered  to  do  it),  to 
get  them  all  by  the  ears,  and  quarreling,  which  was  the  case 
with  this  fine  looking  people,  and  that  I  had  to  tell  them  how 
they  appeared.  Solemn  were  my  feelings,  and  weighty  the 
subject  upon  me.  After  sitting  one  hour,  feeling  the  well- 
spring  of  gospel  life  forcibly,  I  rose  with  these  words :  "  Friends, 
I  have  never  learned  any  other  rule  to  preach,  or  speak  by  in 
the  assemblies,  but  feeling,"  and  proceeded,  as  matter  and 
words  flowed,  without  turning  to  the  right  or  left.  It  was  a 
heart-aching  time  to  me,  for  I  had  to  tell  them  plainly  that  the 
accusing  spirit  had  got  in,  and  there  were  those  who  charged 
others  who  were  innocent,  with  that  which  they  stood  in  them- 
selves. I  had  to  go  largely  into  the  subject  in  an  iftipressive 
w^ay,  and  closed  with  these  words:  "Friends,  you  know,  I  do 
not,  though  I  believe  there  is  cause  for  this ;  let  the  subject 
rest  on  your  minds,  for  if  it  has  not  already  appeared,  the  old  ,  , 
serpent  lies  at  your  doors ;  his  crooked  tail  is  at  the  steps  o^jtj^ 
them,  and  it  is  time  for  you  to  be  on  your  guard."  Man^l^ 
heads  hung  down.  They  soon  proceeded  to  business,  nothing 
was  discovered  from  their  accounts,  yet  I  felt  a  solemn,  peace- 
ful quiet,  to  cover  my  mind.  The  meeting  for  worship  and 
discipline  was  held  the  next  day;  it  was  large  and  favored. 
The  business  was  transacted  lively  and  harmoniously.  There 
was  a  woman  Friend  in  attendance,  from  another  Quarterly 
Meeting,  who  had  a  good  minute,  giving  her  liberty  to  visit  the 
meetings  of  this  Quarter,  and  a  number  had  been  appointed. 
There  was  also  a  man  Friend  of  this  Quarter,  who  with  the 
unity  of  his  Friends  had  appointed  several  meetings ;  one  of 


82  JOURNAL    OF 

their  appointments  was  at  the  same  place  and  time.  The  man 
preached  first,  the  woman  followed.  Nothing  appeared  in  their 
testimonies  to  clash ;  but  as  soon  as  meeting  closed,  the  woman 
arose  and  desired  the  select  members  to  stop.  She  then  testi- 
fied that  the  man  Friend  was  a  false  minister  and  had  preached 
false  doctrine  that  day.  The  man  being  quick  and  nervous,  it 
came  to  sharp  words.  The  other  members  ordered  them  to 
stop.  They  consulted  together  and  told  them  their  mind  was 
that  each  of  them  should  attend  the  meetings  they  had  already 
appointed,  and  appoint  no  more  until  after  the  Quarterly 
Meeting,  which  was  to  be  in  a  few  days.  They  would  then  at- 
tend to  it,  and  give  their  judgment  on  the  subject.  These  oc- 
currences took  place  but  a  few  days  previous  to  the  Quarterly 
Meeting,  and  were  unknown  to  me,  until  after  I  had  attended 
a  neighboring  Quarterly  Meeting. 

After  this  Quarterly  Meeting  we  rode  several  miles  towards 
the  other  Quarter,  and  found  this  woman  and  husband,  (he  be- 
ing her  company),  at  the  house  where  we  proposed  to  lodge. 
She  was  on  a  bed,  groaning  and  making  much  ado.  The  man 
was  more  sociable,  asking  questions  about  Friends  and  their 
ways  in  my  country.  At  length,  it  came  into  my  mind  pleas- 
antly to  remark ;  there  was  one  thing  we  did  not  approve  of, 
which  is,  one  minister's  running  down  another ;  little  thinking 
how  suitably  it  applied.     It  stopped  any  further  inquiries. 

The  next  day  we  rode  forty  miles  through  snow  banks  and 
..mud.  I  attended  the  Select  Meeting  of  that  Quarter  and  found 
it  no  better.  My  labors  were  nearly  of  the  same  nature,  so 
that  after  meeting  I  much  doubted  the  possibility  of  my  feel- 
ings being  right.  My  mind  was  bowed  under  the  reflection, 
earnestly  craving  that  I  might  be  preserved  aright.  Next 
came  on  the  meetings  for  worship  and  discipline,  where  I  soon 
felt  that  light  and  gospel  life  was  in  dominion.  I  rose  in  the 
early  part  ©f  the  meeting,  feeling  my  mind  furnished  with  good 
matter ;  strength  and  utterance  were  given ;  the  doctrines  of 
the  Gospel  flowed  freely,  and  went  forth  in  the  light  of  Gospel 
life.     The  meetincr  closed  under  a  sweet  calm.     This  time  of 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  83 

favor  a  little  revived  my  drooping  mind  ;  but  short  was  the  re- 
past ;  for,  when  business  came  on,  such  feelings  arrested  my 
mind,  and  such  conduct  was  presented  to  my  view  that  I  knew 
not  what  to  think.  When  I  looked  at  them  with  my  outward 
eyes,  seeing  their  comely  appearance,  I  said,  "  these  things 
cannot  be."  These  thoughts  were  followed  with  distress. 
When  I  looked  with  an  inward  eye  it  was  clear  and  plain,  as 
though  I  knew  it.  I  waded  in  this  manner  for  some  hours ; 
and  to  add  to  my  trials,  the  woman  who  had  given  dissatisfac- 
tion within  the  other  Quarter,  was  at  this  meeting,  and  came 
into  the  men's  room,  walked  into  the  gallery,  and  thus  ad- 
dressed the  meeting :  "  My  mind  has  been  pained,  and  I  felt  a 
necessity  to  come  in  here  ;  for,  notwithstanding  what  was  said 
in  the  foregoing  meeting,  the  people  were  not  fed,  neither 
were  the  mourners  comforted ;  I  am  come  to  comfort  them, 
and  give  the  children  some  bread."  She  detained  the  meeting 
sometime,  but  this  did  not  take  the  load  off  my  mind.  After 
the  rise  of  the  meeting  two  Elders  came  to  me  and  questioned 
me  as  to  what  I  thuught  of  that  woman's  visit  to  their  meeting. 
I  told  them  I  did  not  come  there  to  meddle  with  their  Minis- 
ters ;  that  was  the  Elder's  business ;  but,  "  if  I  have  said  or 
done  anything  that  hurt  your  right  feelings,  I  hope  you  Will 
treat  me  as  I  should  expect  my  friends  to  do  were  I  at  home." 
They  paused  a  little,  and  one,  with  a  smile  said,  "  we  have 
nothing  for  thee  on  that  ground,  for  thou  hast  been  highly  fa- 
vored, and  rejoiced  the  hearts  of  thy  bretheren  to-day.  This 
interview  seemed  a  little  to  relieve  my  mind. 

There  being  some  time  between  this  and  Bedford  Quarter,  T 
visited  Seabrook,  Dover,  Almsberry,  Turkey-Hill,  Meaderbor- 
ough,  ^nd  returned  to  Seabrook  Monthly  Meeting,  and  a  meet- 
ing for  discipline  at  Dover.  When  I  came  into  their  meetings 
for  business  my  former  burden  came  rencAvedly  upon  me,  and  I 
endeavored  to  clear  my  mind  from  place  to  place,  as  I  had 
done  in  the  smaller  meetings  I  visited. 

Having  got  through  these  parts,  looking  over  my  labors  I 
greatly  feared  I  was  wrong.     The  enemy  took  the  advantage 


84  JOURNAL    OF 

and  brought  a  dark  cloud  over  me  so  that  I  beheved  all  was 
wrong ;  that  I  had  done  hurt,  wounded  the  innocent,  and  was 
bringing  reproach  on  my  Friends  at  home.  I  concluded  to  tell 
Friends  my  prospect  had  closed  up,  and  1  felt  best  to  go  home. 
I  had  slept  but  little  for  two  nights ;  the  last,  scarcely  at  all. 
I  got  up  in  the  morning  with  a  resolution  to  return  home.  I 
had  not  yet  mentioned  it,  as  I  was  waiting  for  the  Friends  who 
were  with  me,  to  go  away,  thinking  then  to  get  on  my 
horse  and  go  home.  While  thus  musing,  in  stepped  Joseph 
Header,  an  Elder,  and  asked  me  to  go  into  another  room.  He 
then  said,  "  I  parted  with  thee,  not  expecting  to  see  thee  again ; 
but  after  riding  several  miles  my  mind  was  weightily  arrested 
and  impressed  with  a  sense  that  thou  wast  sinking  under  dis- 
couragements, thinking  that  things  could  not  be  as  they  had 
appeared  to  thee.  Thou  mayest  be  assured  that  it  is  all  so, 
thou  hast  not  been  mistaken  in  one  instance  where  I  have 
been  with  thee,  as  I  have  heard  of."  This  interview  so  re- 
lieved my  mind  as  to  renew  my  courage  to  pursue  my  journey. 
But  entering  into  a  solemn  consideration  and  enquiry,  why  it 
was,  if  all  was  right,  that  I  was  left  to  fall  into  such  distress, 
and  was  led  to  see  in  the  clear  light  of  the  Lord,  that  I  had 
reasoned  with  flesh  and  blood,  and  had  not  gone  to  Him  for 
counsel  and  knowledge  ;  thereby  leaving  the  way  open  for  the 
old  serpent  to  present  his  false  and  deceiving  representations  to 
my  mind.  It  was  an  humbling,  contriting  season  to  me,  and  I 
was  made  willing  to  enter  into  renewed  covenant,  let  what 
would  come,  if  the  Lord  would  be  my  guide  and  helper,  I 
would  serve  Him  faithfully.  Blessed  be  the  adorable  goodness 
of  the  Most  High  God  !      . 

After  these  occurrences  I  fell  in  wkh  a  Friend  who  told  me 
he  was  at  the  first  Select  meeting  where  the  two  Ministers 
were  who  had  disagreed,  and  that  I  brought  to  view  the  alter- 
cation that  passed  between  them,  nearly  word  for  word — and 
showed  so  clearly  where  the  wrong  was,  that  Friends  there 
were  all  satisfied.  They  acquitted  the  man  Friend,  and  direct- 
ed the  woman  to  go  home,  but  she  followed  me  to  the  next 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  85 

Quarter  to  try  what  she  could  do  there ;  but,  failing  of  suc- 
cess, she  went  home.  I  shall  have  cause  to  mention  her  here- 
after. In  looking  over  the  marvellous  and  tender  care  of  the 
Most  High,  in  bringing  about  my  relief  in  the  way  he  did, 
my  mind  was  bowed  in  gratitude,  thanksgiving  and  praise  to 
the  Great  Shepherd  of  Israel.  I  took  fresh  courage  and  pur- 
sued my  prospect  cheerfully. 

The  next  meeting  I  attended  was  at  Sandwich,  the  18th  of 
3d  month.  There,  being  taken  sick  with  a  heavy  cold,  and 
the  weather  being  inclement,  I  lay  by  until  first  day,  and  at- 
tended that  meeting  again.  From  thence,  rode  to  Sandwich, 
Barnstable  county,  Massachusetts,  and  attended  their  Select 
Preparative  Meeting  on  the  27th,  sensibly  feeling  the  want  of 
true  Gospel  love  and  unity,  which  gave  me  close  exercise.  But 
I  relieved  my  mind  amongst  them,  and  some  of  them  confessed 
after  meeting,  there  was  just  cause  for  my  feelings. 

From  this  place  I  rode  to  New  Bedford  to  attend  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  and  was  taken  to  the  house  of  William  Roach, 
where  I  was  affectionately  received.  Next  day  I  attended  the 
Select  Quarter,  and  found  myself  embodied  with  a  number  of 
sound-headed,  solid  Friends..  Notwithstanding  it  appeared  so, 
my  mind  was  strongly  impressed  there  was  a  disease  amongst 
them,  and  there  were  some  ailing  who  were  not  sensible  of  it, 
but  believed  themselves  well,  while  the  mortal  disease  was  in- 
creasing on  them ;  and  that  such  were  like  those  in  a  slow  con- 
sumption, exposed  to  flattering  hopes,  until  dissolution  closed 
the  scene  ;  then  all  would  be  over.  I  was  led  to  call  their  at- 
tention solemnly  to  this  subject,  and  whom  to  call  on  individu- 
ally, to  know  what,  and  where  the  disease  was,  and  what  would 
be  the  remedy.  After  meeting,  some  Friends  remarked,  they 
believed  there  was  a  dkuse  for  my  feelings,  and  told  me  where 
they  applied  it.  But,  as  it  proved,  those  who  applied  it  to 
others  were  the  very  ones  to  whom  it  applied.  In  this  way, 
the  poor  servant's  labor  is  often  handled,  much  to  the  hurt  of 
those  to  whom  it  applies,  by  depriving  themselves  of  the  bless- 
ing of  improvement,  and  rendering  the  labor  lost. 


8(5  JOURNAL    OF 

The  day  following,  tlie  meeting  for  worship  and  discipline 
was  held.  The  presence  of  the  Shepherd  of  Israel,  was  felt  to 
own  this  meeting ;  the  business  was  conducted  in  harmony. 
Near  the  close  thereof,  my  way  opened  clearly,  to  proceed  to 
Nantucket,  but  the  wind  not  being  favorable,  we  had  to  lay  by 
on  seventh  day.  We  attended  their  meeting  on  first  day ;  it 
was  large  and  favored.  The  wind  continued  unfavorable  until 
3rd  day,  the  31st,  when  we  set  sail,  about  seven  in  the  morn- 
ing, for  Nantucket,  and  arrived  there  about  one  in  the  afternoon. 
The  1st  of  the  4th  month,  I  attended  their  Monthly  Meeting 
for  the  northern  district.  2d  of  4th  month  and  5th  of  the  week, 
I  attended  the  old  meeting,  and  lay  by  on  sixth  day.  The  4th 
of  the  month,  I  had  an  appointed  meeting.  1st  day,  the  5th, 
attended  the  northern  meeting  in  the  forenoon,  and  the  old 
meeting  in  the  afternoon.  In  all  these  meetings,  I  found  Holy 
help  to  bear  up  my  mind,  in  the  exercises  that  came  upon  me, 
and  ability  was  given  to  clear  my  mind,  so  as  to  feel  easy  to 
leave  for  this  time.  2d  day  morning,  I  went  on  board  for  New 
Bedford,  where  we  arrived  in  about  seven  hours,  being  very 
sea-sick  on  the  passage.  3d  day  morning,  the  Tth  of  4th  month, 
I  set  forward  for  the  Yearly  Meeting ;  it  being  some  time  ahead, 
I  employed  my  time  in  visiting  the  meetings  in  that  part  of  the 
country.  I  was  conducted  to  Moses  Brown's,  in  Providence. 
Here  I  was  kindly  received ;  he  and  his  wife  went  with  me  to 
the  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  introduced  me  to  a  rich  Friend's 
house  ;  but  being  dressed  in  coarse  cloth,  and  making  a  rustic 
appearance,  I  was  coolly  received  and  coolly  treated.  All  this 
I  did  not  mind,  it  being  good  enough  for  me,  but  I  could  not 
get  fodder  and  grain  for  my  horse  as  he  needed ;  the  poor  crea- 
ture could  not  speak  for  himself — I  had  to  care  for  him.  When 
morning  came,  I  took  my  horse  and  walked  towards  the  meet- 
ing house.  I  saw  a  house  that  looked  right,  and  meeting  a 
young  man,  I  asked  him  if  a  Friend  lived  there ;  he  replied, 
yes.  I  asked  him  if  he  would  take  my  horse  there,  giving  him 
directions  how  he  should  be  fed,  and  to  tell  the  Friend,  if  he 
would  do  so,  that  after  meetino:  I  would  come  to  his  house  to 


JOSEPH    HOAG,  St 

dine.    The  young  man,  with  a  smile,  comphed  with  my  request. 
When  I  came  there,  I  found  a  good  home  for  my  horse,  and  a 
kind  reception  for  myself,  where  I  made  my  home  while  in 
these  parts.     I  attended  the  Select  Meeting  at  East  Greenwich 
the  8th,  the  meeting  for  worship  and  discipline  the  9th.     At 
this  meeting  my  mind  was  much  grieved,  and  heart  pained,  with 
a  lengthy  testimony  borne  by  one  of  their  own  members,  who 
ran  into  repeated  repetitions,  which  hurt  the  meeting,  and 
closed  my  way.     The  business  went  on  dull.     I  sat  nearly  silent 
through  these  three  meetings,  but  had  one  appointed  at  even- 
ing, in  the  same  house,  which  was  pretty  large,  and  acknowl- 
edged to  be  a  solid  favored  meeting.     Then  I  had  a  meeting 
at  Wickford.     1st  day,  the  12th,  attended  South  Kingston ; 
the  13th  had  a  meeting  at  Richmond  ;  the  14th  at  South  King- 
ston, upper  house;    15th  at  Westerly;    16th  at  Hopkinton ; 
11th  at  Foster ;  18th  at  Scituate  ;  19th  at  Elisha  Stear's,  Smith- 
field  ;  the  20th  was  at  the  lower  meeting,  Smithfield ;  the  21st 
I  reached  Providence,  and  was  silent ;  the  22nd  at  Cranstone  ; 
the  23d  at  Providence  again  ;  way  opened  to  relieve  my  mind, 
Oospel  doctrines  flowed  freely.      The  24th  was   at   Cumber- 
land ;  25th  was  at  Pautuxet ;  the  26th  and  first  of  the  week  at 
Providence,  and  silent  the  second  time.     The  2'7th,  being  much 
fatigued  and  not  well,  I  had  no  meeting.      After  this  I  had 
meetings  at  Somerset,  Rehoboth,  and  Taunton.      5th  month 
1st,  I  had  a  meeting  at  Freetown;  the  2d  and  Vth  of  the  week 
at  Fall  River,  which  was  a  large,  good  meeting.     The  3d  and 
1st  of  the  week,  was  at  Tiverton,  and  at  Fall  River  again,  in 
the  afternoon,  at  a  meeting  in  the  Baptist  meeting  house.     Here, 
utterance  and  ability  were  given  fiilly  to  clear  my  mind,  so  that 
I  felt  relieved  and  clear  of  the  place,  and  sweet  peace  to  be  the 
reward.     The  4th  of  the  month  and  2d  of  the  week,  I  was  at 
Swansey  Monthly  Meeting,  and  found  myself  among  some  solid 
Friends ;  but  all  things  not  well.     I  had  to  labor  plain  amongst 
them.     The  5th  had  no  meeting ;    the  6th  had  a  meeting  at 
Little  Compton ;  the  Yth  at  Accoakset,  and  in  the  afternoon  at 
Centre ;  the  8th  was  at  Aponaganset ;  the  9th  at  New  Town  ; 


88  JOURNAL    OF 

the  10th  at  Freetown  again,  in  the  morning,  and  at  Bower's 
Shore  in  the  afternoon.  The  11th  I  was  at  the  house  of  Joseph 
Austin  at  Accushnet;  the  12th  I  had  a  large,  crowded  meeting 
at  this  place ;  the  presence  of  Divine  Power  was  felt  to  be  over 
all.  After  delivering  a  testimony,  in  which  I  thought  I  feeling- 
ly cleared  my  mind,  I  had  sat  but  a  minute  or  two  before  it  opened 
as  clearly  to  my  mind,  as  the  large  plain  print  of  a  book,  so 
that  there  was  no  doubt  remaining,  and  that  I  must  deliver  a 
message  in  that  meeting,  without  delay.  I  rose  on  my  feet,  I 
think,  with  these  words  :  "  Friends,  I  rise  on  my  feet,  to  deliver 
a  message,  and  I  want  you  individually  to  turn  your  attention 
to  your  own  feelings,  for,  if  you  do,  doubtless  the  one  to  whom 
it  belongs,  will  feel  the  force  and  evidence  of  it.  It  has  ap- 
peared as  plain  to  my  view,  as  a  plain  printed  book,  so  that  I 
have  neither  doubt  nor  scruple,  that  there  is  one  in  this  meet- 
ing, who  has  lived  a  good  moral  life,  been  a  good  companion, 
a  good  parent,  a  good  neighbor,  and  an  honest  dealer,  but  has  set- 
tled down  at  ease,  thinking  this  was  enough  ;  yet  thou  hast  not 
made  thy  peace  with  thy  God,  and  while  this  is  wanting,  all 
that  is  essential  is  wanting ;  thou  hast  time  to  make  thy  peace 
with  thy  God,  and  not  a  moment  to  spare,  for  thy  time  is  very 
short ;  thou  must  go  hence  to  be  seen  of  men  no  more.  O  ! 
let  not  sleep  rest  on  thine  eyes,  nor  slumber  upon  thine  eyelids, 
until  this  work  is  done  ;  for  thou  shalt  have  no  time  on  a  lan- 
guishing bed ;  for  when  thy  change  comes — in  the  language  of 
the  apostle — it  shall  be  in  an  instant,  at  the  twinkling  of  an 
eye ;  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it."  I  sat  down, 
and  was  favored  to  feel  that  the  power  of  the  Almighty  Jeho- 
vah reigned  over  all.  The  meeting  closed  under  great  solem- 
nity. The  13th  I  was  at  Long  Plain ;  here  had  been  a  great 
division  amongst  Friends,  which  appeared  to  be  wearing  oft' 
and  improving,  but  not  altogether  healed.  There  was  need  of 
Friends  keeping  humble  and  watchful,  w^hich  I  had  to  put  them 
in  mind  of.  The  14th  I  returned  to  New  Bedford,  thence  to 
Sandwich  on  the  iVth,  and  1st  of  the  week,  where  I  met  with 
my  intended  companion  for  Nova  Scotia,  Joseph  Wing,  a  pleas- 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  89 

ant,  agreeable  man.  The  18th  was  at  Yarmouth,  and  19th  at 
Fahnouth.  At  all  the  places  I  have  mentioned,  I  had  meet- 
ings ;  but  the  state  of  them  and  my  exercises  in  them  were  so 
similar  that  I  thought  it  would  not  be  edifying  or  instructive, 
to  go  into  particulars ;  yet  am  willing  that  it  should  be  seen 
I  did  not  idle  away  my  time. 

From  Falmouth  I  went  to  Nantucket,  attended  the  north 
meeting  once,  and  the  old  meeting  twice.  Here  I  was  led  into 
close  labor,  and  felt  concerned  to  sit  in  some  families.  I  called 
on  the  Elders  and  opened  my  prospect  to  them.  After  sitting 
for  some  time  in  stillness,  one  of  them  said  I  had  opened  my 
prospect  so  plainly,  that  he  thought  they  clearly  understood 
me,  and  that  the  business  could  be  accommodated.  They  all 
expressed  their  unity,  and  named  a  Friend  of  each  meeting,  to 
be  my  company,  who  knew  their  own  members,  and  the  class 
I  had  pointed  out.  I  entered  into  this  work  in  fear,  and  deep 
searching  of  heart,  and  found  Divine  Wisdom  and  Holy  help 
amply  sufficient  in  every  needful  time.  Good  is  the  Lord  to 
His  seiTants  who  are  devoted  to  Him  !  In  five  families  out  of 
thirty,  I  had  to  proclaim  the  near  approach  of  death,  and  to 
warn  them  to  prepare  for  the  solemn  change — a  humbling  time 
to  me.  I  did  not  hear  anything  particular  from  these  labors  in 
four  or  five  years,  when  I  fell  in  with  a  widow,  at  Hudson,  who 
informed  me  she  was  one  of  the  visited ;  that  she  had  a  hus- 
band, three  sons,  and  two  daughters,  all  in  good  health,  about 
her  at  that  time,  and  that  in  six  months  from  that  time,  she 
buried  her  husband  and  two  sons ;  and  that  there  was  not  one 
house,  where  I  was  led  in  that  way,  but  one  or  more  died  within 
nine  months,  and  some  within  a  short  time. 

After  clearing  my  mind  in  these  parts,  I  went  to  Rhode  Is- 
land and  attended  their  Monthly  Meeting,  where  I  had  satisfac- 
tory service  to  my  own  mind  and  my  Friends.  On  5th  day,  I 
had  a  meeting  at  Portsmouth,  and  6th  day  on  Conanicut  Island, 
and  returned  to  Newport,  and  on  1st  day  attended  both  fore 
and  afternoon  meetings.  On  2d'day  I  went  to  Hopkinton,  and 
had  a  favored  meeting.  From  here  we  went  over  into  Connect 
6 


90  JOURNAL   OP 

ticut,  had  a  meeting  at  William  Browning's,  and  next  day  liad 
one  at  John  Foster's,  and  the  day  following  had  another  at 
Samuel  Browning's.  These  three  last  places  were  in  Stoning- 
ton,  Connecticut.  I  think  it  was  in  this  little  town,  in  the  first 
meeting,  there  came  in  so  few,  that  I  felt  disappointed.  In 
musing  upon  it,  it  came  into  my  mind  that  Friends  had  not 
given  general  notice  as  I  requested,  and  there  was  time  for 
another  appointment  in  the  afternoon.  This  language  crossed 
my  mind,  "  Tell  them  how  thou  feelest — send  them  out  again, 
and  thou  wilt  get  a  meeting."  It  appeared  so  singular,  that  I 
suppressed  my  feelings,  and  suffered  the  meeting  through,  to 
but  little  satisfaction,  feeling  much  depressed  with  poverty  of 
spirit  the  remainder  of  the  day.  The  next  meeting  I  found  it 
so  again — sat  the  meeting  through  with  but  little  service,  and 
at  the  close  of  it  I  informed  Friends  how  it  appeared  to  me, 
what  my  feelings  were,  and  desired  them  to  go  out  and  give 
notice  faithfully,  for  a  meeting  at  the  4th  hour  at  that  house. 
"When  the  time  came,  a  large  body  of  people  were  gathered, 
and  through  the  tender  mercies  of  Israel's  God,  we  had  a  fine, 
favored  meeting.  I  felt  much  better,  and  went  on  cheerfully, 
finding  my  good  Master's  word  to  be  Truth,  as  I  ever  had  done. 
I  came  to  the  next  meeting,  and  found  it  in  the  same  situation. 
I  sat  the  meeting  through,  and  had  but  little  to  hand  out  to 
them.  At  the  close,  I  informed  them  of  my  feelings,  and  de- 
sired them  to  make  a  second  trial  for  a  meeting  there,  the  4th 
hour  that  afternoon.  When  the  hour  came,  I  thought  it  was  a 
larger  gathering  than  there  was  the  day  before.  It  was  a  solid 
favored  time  ;  Truth  arose  into  dominion.  I  felt  comforted  in 
having  given  up  to  the  openings  of  Truth,  and  that  I  had  left 
a  good  lesson  for  them  to  think  of. 

I  returned  to  East  Greenwich,  attended  their  meeting  on  1st 
day,  the  1th.  of  6th  month,  and  had  a  meeting  at  the  meeting 
house  in  the  town,  at  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  In  both  these 
meetings  I  was  enabled  to  deal  plainly,  and  felt  ample  satisfac- 
tion in  so  doing.  On  the  8th  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting 
at  this  place,  and  though  the  business  was  conducted  regularly, 


JOSEPH    HO  AG.  91 

the  want  of  concern  to  live  up  to  our  ancient  and  present  prin- 
ciples, was  too  prevalent,  which  caused  deep  exercise,  and  pain- 
ful labor — the  aged  buried  in  the  earth,  the  young  on  the  wings 
of  the  air,  embracing  the  customs  of  the  world  in  dress  and 
address,  which  was  so  prevalent  in  these  parts,  that  many  of 
the  young  people  could  hardly  be  distinguished  from  the  fash- 
ionable world — so  that  my  soul  was  many  times  clothed  with 
mourning,  as  with  a  mantle.  I  often  felt  the  necessity  to  labor 
plainly,  and  call  their  attention  to  first  principles,  showing  them 
the  consequences  of  their  departure.  This  seemed  to  be  my 
general  labor  amongst  Friends,  and  though  ray  lot  was  painful, 
yet  bountifully  good  was  the  Most  High,  in  giving  confidence, 
streng-th,  and  utterance,  and  causing  me  to  feel  His  holy  arm 
underneath  in  my  getting  along.     Blessed,  forever,  be  His  holy 


name 


On  the  9th  of  the  month,  I  had  a  meeting  at  a  hoi^^e  owned  by 
Friends,  where  Friends  lived,  which  was  to  good  satisfaction. 
On  the  11th  I  had  a  meeting  four  or  five  miles  south  of  this 
place.  From  here,  I  went  to  attend  Rhode  Island  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, and  attended  the  several  sittings  of  it,  which  were  large, 
and  in  general,  favored  with  the  presence  of  the  Great  Head  of 
,the  Church,  to  the  comfort  of  many.  The  business  was  con- 
ducted with  much  condescension.  In  the  main,  I  was  favored  to 
feel  my  mind  much  released  from  public  labor,  though  not  al- 
together. At  this  meeting,  we  had  the  company  of  John  Hall, 
a  Minister  from  Old  England,  and  Stephen  Grellett,  his  com- 
panion, a  Minister  from  Philadelphia ;  also,  many  of  the  Select 
members,  from  all  the  Quarters,  where  my  mind  had  been  so 
tried.  Stephen  addressed  them  on  the  same  subjects  that  I 
had,  not  only  the  same  words,  but  whole  sentences  as  I  deliv- 
ered them,  in  their  meetings  at  home.  His  communication 
was  strengthening,  confirming,  and  relieving  to  my  mind.  The 
Select  Meeting  met  several  times,  and  after  Stephen  had  cleared 
his  mind,  John  Hall,  at  a  subsequent  sitting  took  up  the  sub- 
ject at  large,  and  spoke  in  that  authority  and  clearness,  that 
the  heads  of  a  number  fell,  and  rose  no  more  with  equal  con- 


92  JOURNAL    OF 

fidence,  through  the  remainder  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  much 
to  the  joy  of  the  upright  in  heart,  and  their  admiration  of  the 
Lord's  goodness,  in  confirming  His  people  and  comforting  His 
sorrowful  ones. 

After  Yearly  Meeting,  having  got  somewhat  acquainted  with 
Ann  Mifiin  and  Mary  Gilbert,  from  Philadelphia,  whose  com- 
pany we  had  had,  and  finding  my  companion  not  ready,  and 
the  vessel  not  prepared,  I  was  invited  by  these  women  Friends 
to  be  their  company,  as  they  were  going  to  Nantucket.  I 
complied  therewith,  to  fill  up  the  time.  We  went  to  Fall  River, 
where  they  appointed  a  meeting — they  both  being  Ministers — 
which  was  to  good  satisfaction.  They  had  another  meeting  at 
the  head  of  the  river,  with  the  Indians ;  it  was  a  favored,  ten- 
dering time ;  the  poor  creatures  appeared  very  grateful  for  the 
favor.  Oh !  thought  I,  how  many  poor  creatures  there  are, 
up  and  down  in  the  earth,  who  would  rejoice  to  have  the  crumbs 
of  Gospel  favor,  that  fall  from  the  Lord's  table,  while  they  are 
overlooked,  and  despised  by  many  of  our  members.  Surely, 
will  not  the  Lord  require  it  at  our  hands,  and  justly  turn  oft* 
many  of  the  children  of  the  kingdom,  who  despise  their  favors, 
and  will  gather  from  the  solitary  corners  of  the  earth,  to  sit 
down  with  the  faithful,  in  the  Kinojdom  of  the  Lamb. 

They  had  a  meeting  at  Westport,  and  from  there  they  went 
to  Aponaganset  and  had  a  meeting,  and  returning  to  New  Bed- 
ford, made  some  tarry  there.  Then  went  to  Rochester,  where, 
I  am  told,  was  once  a  body  of  faithful  Friends,  and  now  bul 
one  family.  Their  meeting  house  is  occupied  by  a  set  of  sep- 
aratists, who  went  out  from  Friends.  Benjamin  Bump  was 
their  minister,  who  was  disowned  for  justifying  the  payment 
of  war  taxes.  There  was  scarcely  anything  of  the  life  of  pure 
religion  to  be  found  among  them,  and  the  very  form  of  godli- 
ness was  lost.  It  was  a  laborious  time.  Next  day  they  had  a 
a  meeting  at  Long  Plain,  where  the  dear  sisters  were  enlarged ; 
it  was  a  favored,  good  meeting,  which  seemed  to  revive  their 
spirits.  In  the  afternoon  they  had  a  meeting  at  Accushnet, 
the  dear  women  were  favored  with  lively  testimonies,  which 


JOSEPH    no AG.  93 

settled  like  dew  on  the  tender  herbs.  O,  may  it  rest  long. 
The  meeting  ended  well.  We  then  attended  New  Bedford 
meeting  in  course.  After  this,  Ann,  her  companion,  and  my- 
self, felt  drawings  to  appoint  a  public  meeting  at  Friends' 
meeting  house  there,  but  the  packet  being  ready,  we  all  kept 
our  feelings  to  ourselves.  Next  morning  early,  we  went  on 
board,  and  sailed  about  an  hour,  when  the  wind  shifted  directly 
ahead,  and  held  us  half  a  day.  At  length,  the  captain  con- 
cluded he  had  a  Jonah  on  board,  and  he  would  go  back.  While 
going  back,  we  got  each  other's  minds,  and  when  we  got  to 
the  wharf,  we  three  stepped  off.  I  turned  to  the  captain,  and 
told  him  he  might  go  to  Nantucket — we  should  not  go  with 
him,  and  I  thought  the  wind  would  let  him  sail.  In  about  one 
hour  the  wind  was  fair,  they  hoisted  sail,  and  were  out  of  sight 
before  sunset. 

We  went  to  William  Roach's,  and  opened  our  prospects. 
They  gave  notice  that  evening.  The  next  day  we  had  a  pretty 
full  meeting.  Ann  and  Mary  had  good  lively  testimonies  to 
bear.  I  had  not  much  in  that  way ;  it  seemed  to  be  my  lot  to 
feel  with  them,  and  hold  up  their  hands,  which  I  was  enabled 
to  do  in  my  little  measure.  That  evening  the  other  packet 
came  in,  and  in  the  morning  we  went  on  board  ;  we  had  a  fair 
wind,  fine  weather,  a  good  passage,  and  arrived  in  season  to  at- 
tend their  first-day  meetings.  We  next  attended  their  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  which  was  large.  John  Hall,  Stephen  Grellett, 
and  Elizabeth  Coggshall,  were  present;  several  large,  weighty 
testimonies  were  borne  to  the  everlasting  Truth,  to  the  refresh- 
of  many,  and  warning  of  the  careless  ones.  The  business  was 
conducted  in  a  solid,  harmonious  manner. 

My  companion  not  yet  coming  to  me,  I  had  to  stay  some 
days.  Feeling  the  return  of  an  opening,  that  had  been  presen- 
ted to  view  s^veral  times,  which  now  came  before  me  with 
weight,  to  appoint  a  meeting  for  the  people  of  color  and  the 
Indian  natives  on  the  island,  I  opened  it  to  Friends,  who 
united  with  it,  and  took  considerable  pains  to  get  them  to- 
gether.    There  was  a  fine  body  of  people  collected.     I  soon 


94  JOURNAL    OF 

felt  my  mind  clothed  witli  Gospel  love,  wliicli  flowed  to 
that  people ;  utterance  was  given  in  language  that  was  easy 
for  them  to  understand ;  which  flowed  freely,  accompanied  witli 
Gospel  energy,  to  the  tendering  of  many  of  them  to  tears.  A 
heavenly  solemnity  was  felt  to  spread  over  the  meeting,  clearly 
evidencing,  that  equal  are  the  mercies  of  the  Lord,  to  all  the 
children  of  men.  The  service  closed  with  prayer  and  thanks- 
giving to  the  Lord,  for  the  continuance  of  His  mercies  to  His 
people. 

Ann  and  Mary  wanted  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  people  on  Mar- 
tha's Vineyard,  and  desired  my  company,  with  which  I  com- 
plied, as  my  companion  had  not  yet  arrived.  The  first  meet- 
ing was  at  Old-Town,  a  dark,  hard  place  ;  Gospel  communica- 
tion rebounded,  like  water  poured  upon  a  rock,  and  we  were 
glad  to  make  our  escape  from  the  place.  We  went  to  Gay 
Head,  and  had  a  large  meeting  amongst  the  Indians.  Those 
precious  women  were  favored,  and  the  meeting  was  quiet,  and 
solid,  and  ended  so.  The  poor  things  expressed  a  great  deal 
of  thankfulness  for  the  visit.  We  returned  to  Old-Town ;  there 
we  parted ;  they  went  to  Holmes'  Hole,  and  as  I  did  not  feel 
clear,  I  went  to  the  east  end  of  the  island,  and  had  a  meeting 
with  a  small  tribe  of  Indians ;  after  which  I  felt  clear  to  return 
to  Nantucket,  where  I  staid  till  the  14th  of  the  Yth  month, 
when  the  vessel  was  ready  to  sail. 

Before  leaving,  there  came  a  letter  from  Samuel  Rodman  to 
William  Macy,  informing  that  not  long  since,  "a  Friend  near 
sixty  years  of  age,  belonging  to  Accushnet  meeting,  went  to 
the  barn  near  night  to  milk  his  cow,  a  little  earlier  than  usual, 
as  it  looked  likely  to  rain.  While  milking  he  was  struck  with 
lightning,  and  instantly  killed.  The  Friend  was  at  the  meeting 
when  Joseph  Hoag  dropped  that  singular  testimony,  and  that 
he  appeared  to  be  such  a  person  as  Joseph  described.  And  now 
Friends  are  easy  and  satisfied  in  regard  to  Joseph."  The 
above  is  as  near  as  I  can  remember  the  contents  of  the  letter  on 
that  subject. 

The    14th  of  the  Yth  month,  we  set  sail  for  Nova  Scotia; 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  95 

were  five  days  on  tlie  voyage,  owing  to  contrary  winds,  fog, 
and  poor  pilot.  When  we  got  into  Beaver  Harbor,  on  the 
19th,  we  had  a  meeting  with  the  few  Friends  living  there,  and 
being  first-day,  there  was  more  of  a  gathering  than  I  expected. 
In  the  course  of  my  testimony,  I  was  led  to  speak  to  a  single 
state,  who  felt  whole,  and  thought  himself  in  good  standing  ; 
who  was  in  good  health,  and  as  to  the  outward,  appeared  like- 
ly to  live  for  years ;  who  had  not  long  to  live,  and  was  deceived 
in  the  favorable  belief  ^f  himself.  I  was  led  to  call  the  atten- 
tion home,  to  a  narrow  heart  search,  and  a  faithful  petition  to 
the  Lord,  that  He  would  show  how  it  stood,  between  Him  and 
the  soul';  saying  "the  Lord  will  show  thee,  and  show  mercy 
too  ;  this  is  the  only  escape  from  a  disappointment  in  the  end, 
which  cannot  be  recovered." 

From  here,  we  went  back  into  the  country,  to  a  new  settle- 
ment, and  had  a  large,  favored  meeting,  in  a  barn,  to  which  a 
tribe  of  Indians  came,  and  sat  very  soberly.  After  meeting, 
they  were  asked  how  they  liked  what  was  said.  One  of  them 
answered,  putting  his  hand  on  his  breast,  "I  could  not  under- 
stand every  word,  but  felt  him  here.  I  believe,  he  is  a  very 
good  man."  0 !  thought  I,  how  many  of  the  wise  and  learned 
never  think  to  try  preaching  by  that  standard.  "We  returned 
back  to  the  Friend's  house  we  first  put  up  at ;  we  left  him  well 
but  now  found  him  sick  with  the  pleurisy.  I  had  it  on  my 
mind  to  have  another  meeting  there,  which  was  readily  conseuT 
ted  to,  and  the  sick  Friend  chose  to  lie  in  the  room  where  the 
meeting  was.  I  had  to  take  up  the  subject  of  the  woe  to  them 
who  were  at  ease,  and  trusted  in  the  mountains  of  Samaria ; 
showing  there  was  no  greater  mountain  than  the  Gospel,  and 
no  greater  name  than  the  Truth,  for  that  was  over  all ;  and 
when  all  this  was  professed  and  believed,  and  their  peace  not 
made  with  God,  it  would  disappoint  in  the  end ;  and  this  was 
the  woe  under  the  Gospel.  After  meeting  the  sick  man  was 
much  broken  down,  and  acknowledged  that  he  saw  it  was  not 
with  him  as  he  expected.  We  left  him  under  great  exercise. 
I  heard  a  few  weeks  after,  he  was  gone  ;  and,  that  after  passing 


S6  JOURNAL    OF 

through  great  and  painful  exercises,  he  was  favored  to  come  t6 
a  quiet,  resigned  state  of  mind,  which  was  joyful  to  hear. 

Before  I  take  leave  of  this  place,  I  feel  most  easy  to  remark 
that  all  three  of  these  meetings  were  favored  ;  the  Truth  was  in 
dominion,  and  the  people  generally  acknowledged  its  doctrines. 
One  thing  I  mourn  for,  Friends  did  not  meet  together,  nor  sit 
down  in  their  families ;  they  were  not  willing  their  children 
should  go  to  other  meetings,  of  course ;  poor  things,  Avere 
growmg  up,  not  only  in  a  way  that  was  unprofitable,  but  unea- 
sy to  themselves  ;*not  informed  in  Friends  principles,  through 
the  neglect  of  their  parents,  I  was  grieved  for  them  ;  faithfully 
cleared  my  mind  to  the  parents,  and  left  them.  O !  may  the 
Lord  remember  the  dear  children,  who  are  so  neglected,  and 
be  a  father  to  them,  and  gather  them  into  his  own  enclosure. 

We  staid  hereabouts  until  10  o'clock  on  first-day,  when  we 
set  sail  for  St.  Johns.  Had  a  quick  passage,  and  made  a  short 
tarry  at  this  place ;  then  went  up  the  river  about  60  miles,  in 
an  open  boat.  Setting  out  late  in  the  day,  and  the  wind  leav- 
ing us,  we  sat  in  the  boat  nearly  all  night ;  being  foggy  it  was 
very  uncomfortable,  and  what  made  it  more  uncomfortable,  we 
had  a  noisy  ruffian  on  board.  We  landed  near  the  place' we 
intended,  and  hired  horses  of  Hugh  Copperthwaite.  We  rode 
forty  miles  up  the  river,  and  came  am«ngst  a  people  who  held 
their  meetings  some  like  Friends.  They  rejected  hireling  min- 
istry, and  held  that  none  ought  to  preach  but  those  who  were 
called  upon,  and  qualified  by  the  spirit  of  Christ.  There  were 
three  of  those  meetings,  about  12  miles  apart.  They  generally 
ended  their  meetings  with  a  psalm  or  hymn.  We  got  amongst 
them  the  second  day's  travel,  about  noon,  and  had  a  meeting 
with  them  at  five  in  the  afternoon.  There,  was  openness  with 
the  people  to  hear  and  receive  the  Truth,  which  flowed  freely 
in  Gospel  authority.  They  were  much  broken  into  tender- 
ness, under  a  sense  of  Divine  favor.  The  day  following  we 
had  a  meeting  about  a  mile  up  the  river,  which  was  very  large, 
and  much  favored ;  it  was  truly  an  humbling  time.  Praised  be 
the  Most  Hio'h  God ! 


JOSEPH    IIOAG.  9T 

After  meeting  we  were  called  npon  to  give  our  opinions  on 
women's  preaching,  being  informed  that  tliey  had  three  women, 
one  at  each  meeting,  who  preached ;  that  they,  were  the  most 
able  Ministers  they  had,  and  all  the  traveling  Ministers  who 
come  along  before  us  had  opposed  women's  preaching.  This 
opened  the  door  for  us  to  let  them  tnow  we  approved  of  wo- 
men's preaching,  and  had  women  preachers  amongst  us,  who 
were  able  Ministers,  and  to  show  them  our  reasons  at  large 
why  we  approved  of  them^fn  that  way.  This  was  very  satis- 
factory and  rejoicing  to  many  of  them.  We  returned  to  Nich- 
olas Eideouts ;  in  this  place  we  stopped  and  had  a  large  meet- 
ing— a  day  of  high  and  renewed  favor  to  the  people.  May 
they  be  wise  and  improve  it  to  their  comfort !  We  went  to 
Hugh  Copperthwait's  and  delivered  up  his  horses ;  he  would 
take  nothing  for  their  service.  We  had  no  meetiaig  on  7th 
day ;  but  on  first  day  two,  the  first  was  pretty  satisfactory  to 
the  people ;  the  latter  was  a  large  gathering  of  several  different 
Societies.  I  was  led  to  show  that  the  law  and  the  ceremonies 
in  our  day  were  all  of  a  piece ;  that  they  could  not  make  the 
comers  thereunto  perfect,  as  to  the  conscience,  and  of  course 
left  them  under  the  dominion  of  sin ;  that  nothing  could  puri- 
fy the  conscience  but  the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  which  made 
free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death.  This  doctrine  offended 
some,  who,  though  they  could  bring  nothhig  to  confute  it,  yet 
were  disturbed  by  it.  Others  rejoiced  that  the  subject  was  so 
clearly  opened  to  their  understandings. 

On  the  2d  day  of  the  week,  twelve  miles  down  the  river,  we 
had  a  meeting  at  the  house  of  one  Birdsall,  who  went  from 
Friends  ;  a  number  being  there  of  that  sort.  I  had  close,  exer- 
cising, plain  labor  among  them,  and  felt  much  satisfaction  in 
being  honest  to  my  Lord  and  good  Master.  We  continued 
down  the  river  to  New  Brunswick  town,  and  on  the  14th,  had 
a  large  meeting  in  the  Methodist  house.  The  people  sat  sober- 
ly, conducted  respectfully,  received  our  visit  well,  and  treated 
us  kindly. 

The  16th,  first  day,  we  attended  two  meetings;  the  first  was 


98  JOURNAL    OF 

satisfactory,  the  last  was  much  hurt,  by  my  endeavoring  to 
evade  taking:  hold  of  the  subject  as  it  opened  in  my  mind. 
After  proceeding  a  little  way  it  all  left  me  and  I  had  to  sit 
down  in  confusion,  and  remained  so  until  meeting  ended,  and 
some  time  after,  until  the  Lord  showed  me  that  if  I  had  looked 
to  Him  for  counsel  and  strength,  He  would  have  carried  me 
through  all  He  required ;  but  in  that  I  leaned  to  my  own  un- 
derstanding, it  was  but  right  that  He  should  chastise  me.  It 
was  an  humbling  and  instructive  time. 

The  iVth  we  sailed  for  Westmoreland,  but  went  up  Maccan 
Kiver  to  Nathan  Hoag's,  and  held  a  meeting  there,  among  a 
thoughtful,  enquiring  people,  mostly  Welsh,  who  appeared 
willing  to  hear  and  believe  the  Truth.  The  day  following,  we 
had  a  meeting  down  the  river  apiece,  which  was  satisfactory  ; 
and  the  next  day,  in  the  Court  House  near  Cumberland  Fort. 
There  was  a  large  company  of  mixed  people,  and  it  was  an  ex- 
ercising time.  Though  some  of  them  acknowledged  to  the 
Truth,  yet  there  were  many  others,  who,  when  their  sentiments 
were  crossed,  it  seemed  to  set  them  on  fire ;  particularly  the 
belief  that  if  a  man  once  had  grace,  he  cannot  be  lost ;  let  him 
do  what  he  will,  he  will  be  brought  in  at  last.  This  idea  is  so 
pleasing  to  carnal  nature,  that  it  seems  almost  impossible — sor- 
rowful as  it  is — to  prevail  with  them  to  admit  the  thought,  that 
it  is  possible  for  them  to  be  wrong.  This  much  closes  the  way 
for  profitable  labor  in  these  parts. 

In  this  part  of  the  country  I  fell  in  with  the  Swedenborgians, 
who  tried  hard  to  bring  me  over  to  their  belief.  They  kept 
about  me  for  several  days.  At  length  one  of  them  asked  me 
what  reason  I  could  give,  why  we  were  not  in  duty  bound  to 
believe  what  that  man  of  God  (Swedenborg)  wrote,  as  much  as 
to  believe  the  Scriptures,  for  the  prophets  said,  "  Thus  saith 
the  Lord,"  and  so  did  he.  I  considered  a  little,  and  it  came 
into  my  mind  to  answer,  that  (Swedenborg's)  was.a  revelation 
different  from  the  law  or  the  Gospel.  God  chose  his  own  way 
to  reveal  the  law  in  a  way  that  man  could  not  counterfeit  by 
signs  and  miracles  that  were  visible  to  the  natural  eye ;  and 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  99 

when  Jesus  Christ  came  to  introduce  the  Gospel  He  wrought 
miracles  that  were  as  much  greater  than  those  of  the  law,  as  the 
Gospel  was  more  glorious  ;  and  that  we,  Quakers,  were  not  go- 
ing to  give  away  revelation  so  well  proved  as  the  Scriptures 
were,  for  a  revelation  that  had  no  better  foundation  than  the 
assertion  of  one  man.  To  this  they  made  no  reply,  and  I  got 
rid  of  them,  for  which  I  was  truly  glad. 

After  the  last  meeting  we  were  invited  home  by  Thomas 
Eoach,  a  Methodist  by  profession.  He  lent  us  horses  to  ride 
across  the  country,  and  a  civil  old  man  was  our  pilot ;  they, 
neither  of  them,  would  have  anything  for  their  services.  We 
rode  it  in  one  day,  dismissed  the  man  and  horses,  and  let  him 
return  the  next  day.  Here  we  were  detained  about  a  week, 
before  we  could  cross  the  bay  to  St.  John's  Island.  It  being 
wheat  harvest,  we  went  into  the  field  to  labor,  to  save  spending 
money.     We  earned  our  living  and  a  dollar  over. 

While  detained  here  the  enemy  poured  his  floods  upon  me, 
insinuating  that  I  had  no  business  there ;  if  I  had,  I  should  not 
have  been  disappointed,  and  that  was  not  all ;  I  had  no  busi- 
ness to  leave  home,  and  my  family  to  suff'er ;  I  was  deceived, 
and  had  deceived  my  Friends ;  that  to  be  a  deceiver  and  a 
false  teacher  was  the  most  wicked  of  sins ;  and  I  was  guilty  of 
that  sin ;  for  to  destroy  the  souls  of  others  was  worse  than  to 
destroy  their  bodies.  In  this  way  I  was  afflicted  from  day  to 
day.  When  I  strove  to  get  those  thoughts  out  of  my  mind, 
I  found  it  in  vain  ;  and  to  flee  from  them,  out  of  my  power. 
At  length  it  was  presented  to  me — and  it  came  like  the  voice 
of  a  lion — that  if  I  went  on  as  I  had  done,  deceiving  the  peo- 
ple, a  dreadful  judgment  would  come  upon  me,  for  God  would 
not  be  mocked.  It  came  so  heavy  that  my  stomach  failed  for 
food  or  drink,  my  strength  failed  every  way,  and  when  I 
thought  of  stopping  and  going  home,  the  enemy  would  tell  me 
that  would  not  do,  for  when  I  got  there  and  told  my  friends 
how  I  was  deceived  they  would  ever  after  disregard  me,  and 
my  wife  would  look  coolly  upon  me.  Then  I  had  better  be 
dead  than  alive ;  that  the  best  way  for  me  was  to  slip  away  and 


100  JOURNAL     OF 

get  into  some  solitary  place  where  I  never  should  be  heard 
from.  It  was  in  vain  for  me  to  plead  sincerity,  for  the  Lord 
knew  my  heart,  and  that  to  plead  innocence  was  mocking  God, 
for  my  own  feelings  told  me  better.  By  this  time  my  distress 
was  such  that  I  slept  but  little  and  ate  little,  grew  weak  fast 
and  could  find  no  other  stay  to  my  mind  than  in  this  appeal — 
"  I  am  before  thee,  0  Lord  !  thou  knowest  all  things,  and  if  things 
are  so  or  not ;  to  run  away  I  cannot  and  dishonor  thy  Holy  Name, 
reproach  the  Truth  and  thy  people,  and  bring  scandal  on  myself, 
I  cannot  do  it ;  I  would  rather  die  in  this  strange  land  and  be 
buried  among  this  strange  people.  0  Lord !  if  it  is  any  off"er- 
ing,  here  is  my  life,  my  body  and  my  soul,  in  time  and  eter- 
nity, at  thy  disposal,  for  Thou  wilt  do  right.  But  I  pray  Thee 
to  preserve  me  from  bringing  reproach  on  thy  Holy  name,  or 
on  Thy  righteous  cause."  When  my  mind  became  stayed 
here,  the  billows  rolled  away,  the  mists  passed  over,  and  my 
poor  mind  was  admitted  once  more  into  the  clear  sunshine,  to 
rejoice  and  give  thanks  to  the  Lord  for  His  wonderful  mercy 
and  sustaining  Providence  in  the  hour  of  temj)tation. 

The  30th  of  the  month  and  first  of  the  week,  we  sailed  for 
the  Island  of  St.  Johns.  We  were  about  twelve  hours  on  the 
water ;  landed  at  Charlotte  town,  and  were  kindly  received  by 
John  Cambridge  and  wife,  whose  house  we  made  our  home 
while  on  the  Island.  The  1st  of  9th  month  we  had  a  large, 
quiet,  good  meeting.  The  Governor  and  his  wife  attended ; 
he  expressed  his  satisfaction  with  the  communication.  Thus 
we  see  many  will  acknowledge  and  approve  of  that  which  they 
are  not  disposed  to  practice.  We  enquired  for  horses  to  hire  ; 
the  Governor  hearing  of  it,  offered  his :  we  accepted,  and  sent 
for  them  next  morning.  He  had  his  own  riding  horse  fur- 
nished for  me,  and  said ;  "  let  the  Minister  ride  that  horse,  he 
will  carry  him  well ;  he  looked  at  the  saddle  and  said ;  "  it  is 
so  fine  I  don't  know  but  it  will  hurt  the  Minister's  feelings ; 
bring  the  blanket;"  had  it  put  on  and  said;  "now  he  won't 
Bee  how  fine  it  is,  and  it  won't  hurt  his  feelings."     I  note  this, 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  ;         ,''',    J       '^  y/ y  \  [)i)i\ 

as  due,  to  show  the  kindness  of  the  man,  though  one  of  the 
great  of  the  world. 

The  2d  of  9th  month  we  rode  25  miles  through  a  wilderness 
of  good  land  to  Tryon  village,  and  had  a  comfortable  meeting 
with  a  body  of  poor  people;  thence  we  rode  12  miles  through 
the  woods  to  a  settlement,  mostly  refugees,  and  had  a  meeting 
with  them.  It  seemed  like  encompassing  Jericho ;  their  walls 
were  strong.  But  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord,  who  was 
pleased  to  give  strength  so  to  blow  the  Gospel  ram's  horn  that 
the  walls  gave  way  and  Truth  rose  into  dominion.  Not  feeling 
clear,  we  stopped  until  first  day,  the  6th  of  the  month,  and  had 
anpther  meeting  with  them,  which  was  large  and  much  favored ; 
the  way  appeared  open,  and  the  minds  of  the  people  much 
reached  and  tendered.  The  meeting  was  solemn  and  ended 
well.  From  here  we  put  forward  17  miles  through  a  thick  wil- 
derness and  a  poor  path,  and  had  two  rivers  to  swim  our  horses 
across.  In  the  latter,  we  stood  a  narrow  chance  of  drowning  our 
best  horse,  owing  to  mud  in  the  bottom,  but  were  favored  hap- 
pily to  escape  and  get  into  Parker's  Corner  in  good  season.  Went 
to  Farmer  Townsend's  (who  had  been  formerly  a  Friend,)  and 
had  a  meeting  at  his  house,  the  8th  of  the  month.  Here  we 
had  to  wade  under  deep  sufferings ;  I  had  to  deal  in  a  plain, 
close,  and  solemn  manner,  showing  the  desolation  it  produced 
where  there  was  a  known  departure  from  the  truth,  and 
what  stumbling-blocks  such  were  to  the  honest  seeker  after 
righteousness ;  but  it  seemed  like  pouring  water  on  a  rock.  I 
was  informed  before  I  left  here  that  a  number  of  years  past, 
there  came  several  families  of  Friends  and  an  approved  Minis- 
ter and  settled  in  this  place,  and  held  a  meeting  under  the 
care  of  Friends  in  England  for  some  years.  The  preacher  and 
the  next  principal  member  took  to  excessive  drinking,  so  as 
often  to  be  disguised ;  the  people  would  not  meet  with  them 
and  the  meeting  had  dropped.  When  I  heard  this  I  did  not 
marvel  at  the  sufferings  we  had  to  feel. 

The  9th  of  the  month,  we  left  this  place  with  heavy  hearts, 
and  rode  thirty  miles  back  to  Charlotte,  through  the  wilderness, 


,0*101^^;    /'^f       '    ''•         ':       JOURNAL    OF 

a  dreary,  solitary  ride  to  me.  The  10th,  11th  and  12th,  we 
did  not  travel,  but  rested  at  our  former  home,  and  wrote  to 
our  Friends.  The  13th  and  first  of  the  week,  we  had  a  second 
meeting  at  this  place;  the  14th  we  had  a  little  meeting  on  the 
south  part  of  the  Island,  five  miles  from  the  town,  among  a 
tender,  thoughtful  people.  The  Lord  was  with  them  to  do 
them  good,  and  His  presence  was  felt  amongst  them ;  it  was  a 
tendering,  humbling  time,  I  think  not  easily  to  be  forgotten. 
O,  how  often  is  there  renewed  cause  for  humble  thanks,  and 
grateful  praise  to  the  Most  High  God,  for  the  continuation  of 
His  mercies,  that  endure  forever.  The  15th  and  16th  we  rode 
to  the  east  end  of  the  Island;  the  17th  we  had  a  small  meeting 
at  one  Coffin's,  who  was  formerly  from  Nantucket,  and  brought 
up  a  Friend.  There  were  several  more  of  this  description 
present.  It  was  an  exercising,  laborious  time,  which  is  often 
the  case,  when  we  fall  among  people  who  know  what  the  Truth 
is,  and  do  not  live  up  to  it ;  it  is  not  only  a  loss  to  themselves, 
but  often  proves  a  hindrance  to  others.  In  the  evening,  we 
had  a  meeting  about  three  miles  from  this ;  a  number  came  to 
it  who  had  never  been  to  a  Friend's  meeting  before.  It  was  a 
favored  meeting ;  the  minds  of  the  people  were  touched  and 
tendered,  and  they  seemed  to  want  to  show  their  gratitude.  I 
thought  it  best  to  retire  from  them  as  quietly  as  I  could.  In 
the  evening,  it  came  into  my  mind,  that  when  I  departed,  I 
must  give  the  mistress  of  the  house  where  we  lodged,  a  dollar. 
In  the  morning,  it  came  into  my  mind  again,  so  that  when  we 
departed,  I  left  a  dollar  in  her  hand,  and  told  her  to  take  it, 
and  make  good  use  of  it,  and  left  them. 

When  we  got  on  the  road,  John  Cambridge  told  me  he  went 
out  among  the  people  after  meeting,  and  they  were  gathering 
money  for  me,  until  he  told  them  I  would  not  take  it.  Then 
they  stopped.  The  husband  of  the  woman  I  gave  the  dollar 
to,  was  the  most  earnest  to  raise  something  handsome  for  me. 
I  then  thought  I  could  see  clearly,  why  my  mind  was  impressed  to 
leave  money  with  them,  to  show  them  I  could  give,  but  not 
receive  on  the  principle  they  gave,  and  to  confirm  John's  testi- 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  103 

mony.  We  rode  back  to  St.  Petersburg;  the- 20th  and  first 
of  the  week  we  had  a  meeting  there,  where  was  great  opposi- 
tion in  the  minds  of  the  people,  which  caused  deep  searching 
of  heart,  until  Truth  arose,  and  cleared  my  way,  and  enabled 
me,  with  gospel  authority,  to  hold  up  the  standard  of  Truth ; 
the  people  acknowledged  to  it,  but  seemed  to  struggle  under 
it,  which,  Balaam  like,  is  too  often  the  case.  I  felt  well  re- 
lieved and  satisfied.  We  staid  in  the  neighborhood  the  night 
following.  The  21st  we  returned  to  John  Cambridge's,  and 
staid  there  until  the  — ,  for  a  passage,  when  we  took  a  solemn 
departure  from  those  kind,  friendly  people,  and  on  the  —  land- 
ed at  Pictou,  a  little  Irish  village,  not  a  house  without  some 
more  or  less  sick  with  the  small  pox  in  it.  Neither  of  us  ever 
had  it.  We  had  to  stay  several  hours,  to  hire  horses  to  ride 
across  the  country.  We  were  at  a  place  where,  when  we  sat 
down,  we  could  look  through  the  loose  partition,  and  see  them 
on  their  couches,  apparently  at  the  point  of  death,  all  having 
the  disorder  the  natural  way,  yet  we  neither  of  us  took  it ;  a 
great  proof  of  Divine  Providence,  the  remembrance  of  which 
was  truly  humbling  to  my  mind,  and  awakens  and  calls  for 
grateful  thanks.  We  started  the  same  day  for  Halifax,  one 
hundred  and  forty  miles  distant.  Got  there  the  —  very  much 
fatigued.  We  stopped  a  few  minutes  at  a  Friend's  house,  who 
asked  me  if  we  intended  a  meeting  in  the  city.  I  answered, 
that  I  had  heard  it  said,  that  when  sailors  came  in  from  sea, 
they  must  first  get  a  good  entry  into  harbor,  before  they  could 
tell  much  about  their  clearing  out ;  and  thus  the  subject 
dropped.  We  soon  crossed  the  river  and  put  up  with  Seth 
Coleman,  and  kept  ciose  for  several  days. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

After  getting  recruited,  and  my  spirits  revived,  we  appointed 
a  meeting  in  the  evening,  at  Friends'  meeting  house,  in  Dart- 
mouth. It  was  small,  but  it  seemed  pleasant  to  be  with 
Friends  again,  after  a  long  absence.  The  evening  following, 
we  had  a  meeting  in  Halifax,  which  proved  a  good  entry  into 
harbor.  At  the  close  of  this  meeting,  it  sprang  into  my  mind 
to  express  my  satisfaction  with  their  solid  deportment  and  good 
attention,  and  that  it  was  encouraging  to  me,  as  it  showed  re- 
gard for  religion,  and  that  I  did  not  feel  clear  of  the  place,  and 
if  it  were  agreeable  to  them,  I  wanted  to  meet  with  them  again, 
on  such  a  day,  at  the  fourth  hour  in  the  afternoon.  They  an- 
swered, it  would  be  agreeable.  I  then  requested  them  respect- 
fully to  inform  their  neighbors,  that  their  company  would  be 
grateful  to  me.  After  we  came  away,  Friends  told  me  they 
thought  I  would  be  disappointed,  for  there  had  been  several 
Friends  from  England,  and  the  States,  who  had  made  trial, 
and  could  never  get  a  much  larger  meeting  than  we  had.  I 
felt  easy  in  what  I  had  done. 

We  returned  to  Dartmouth  ;  from  —  to  —  of  10th  month, 
we  staid  with  Friends  there,  and  had  no  meeting.  The  —  we 
attended  our  appointed  meeting  at  Halifax,  to  which  it  was 
thought  that  more  than  two  hundred  people  came,  whose  de- 
portment was  becoming  Christians.  It  was  a  favored  time. 
The  people  were  much  tendered.  On  my  sitting  down,  soon 
after  delivering  a  testimony,  it  came  weightily  on  my  mind  to 
appoint  another  meeting  in  the  city.  I  said  to  myself,  it  can- 
not be,  for  this  house  is  crowded  full,  and  there  is  nowhere  to 
meet.     While  I  was  musing,  a  genteel  appearing  man  stood  up 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  105 

and  said,  "Do  you  want  another  meeting  in  the  city?  My 
mind  is  impressed  that  you  do.  If  you  do,  you  can  have  the 
Methodist  meeting-house.  It  is  the  largest  in  the  city,  and 
best  seated ;  I  own  two-thirds  of  it,  and  you  are  welcome  to  it. 
Appoint  your  meeting  at  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  the 
laboring  class  will  be  at  liberty,  and  you  will  have  a  great 
meeting."  I  turned  to  my  companion,  and  asked  him  what  he 
thought  of  it.  He  answered,  "It  was  on  my  mind  with 
weight,  to  have  another  meeting,  but  I  could  not  see  how  or 
where.  It  is  best  to  accept  the  offer."  I  stood  up  and  let  the 
people  know,  we  should  be  at  the  house  at  the  hour,  to  a  min- 
ute if  we  could,  and  that  I  wished  them  respectfully  to  inform 
their  neighbors  that  it  would  be  cordial  to  my  feelings,  to 
have  the  company  of  all  that  were  willing  to  meet  with  us.  The 
meeting  then  closed,  and  we  went  to  the  Friend's  house  who 
lived  near.  I  soon  asked  the  Friend  if  there  was  not  a  man 
living  in  the  north  part  of  the  city,  who  would  let  us  have  a 
meeting  at  his  house.  He  answered,  "Yes,"  we  sent  a  messen- 
ger with  orders,  if  the  way  was  clear,  to  make  the  appoint- 
ment and  go  forward  and  notify  the  people.  We  attended 
and  had  a  comfortable  meeting ;  the  people's  minds  appeared 
open  to  receive  the  doctrines  of  Truth.  At  the  close  we  in- 
formed them  of  the  other  appointment,  and  returned  to  Dart- 
mouth. Not  feeling  clear,  I  proposed  another  meeting  there  ; 
and  general  notice  being  given,  it  was  large  ;  here  way  opened 
and  utterance  was  given  to  clear  my  mind  so  as  to  feel  fully  re- 
lieved. 

The  — ,  according  to  appointment,  we  attended  at  the  Meth- 
odist house  in  Halifax.  When  we  came  to  the  place,  we  found 
a  large  house  ;  and  after  we  entered  the  door,  we  had  to  stop 
often,  for  the  people  to  make  way  for  us  to  get  to  our  seats. 
When  we  came  there,  there  was  no  place  but  the  pulpit  for  us. 
We  walked  up  ;  I  looked  around  and  saw  the  house  crowded 
from  one  end  to  the  other,  with  people,^  and  a  great  body  stan- 
ding outside ;  I,  there  in  a  lofty  pulpit,  seated  on  a  satin  cush- 
ion, a  thought  came  into  mv  mind,  if  my  friends  at  home  knew 
1 


106  JOURNAL    OF 

where  I  was,  their  hearts  would  tremble  for  me.  I  saiil<  down 
and  wished  I  had  not  made  the  appointment,  and  concluded  I 
could  not  open  my  mouth.  There  I  sat  under  such  depression 
of  spirit  arid  distress  of  mind  ti.at  1  could  hardly  keep  from 
trembling  for  some  time.  My  companion  kept  his  faith  well, 
whic'i  was  a  strength  to  me  ;  but  at  length,  through  the  mercy 
of  a  gracious  Re  ieemer,  all  this  was  taken  off;  they  appeared 
to  me  to  be  no  more  than  children,  and  all  about  me  no  more 
than  dust.  Feeling,  the  Word  of  Life  to  arise  in  my  mind, 
with  strength  and  Gospel  authority,  I  was  preparing  to  rise, 
when  a  language  saluted  me,  "see  that  thou  keep  calm,  and 
speak  deliberately."  Under  the  impression,  I  rose  on  my  feet, 
and  though  there  was  considerable  whispering,  over  the  meet- 
ing, the  first  sentence  spoken  sti!ie-J  them  so  that  my  compan- 
i  'U  remarked,  the  hke  he  never  saw  ;  he  took  notice  and  did 
not  remember  that  ho  saw  a  hand  lifted  or  a  foot  moved  f.r  an 
hour  and  a  half;  the  power  of  the  Lord  came  mightily  over 
the  meeting.  Truth  reigned  bey«>nd  what  I  had  ever  experi- 
enced before  ;  Gospel  Truths  flowed  as  the  gentle  waters,  drop- 
ped as  the  rain,  and  distilled  as  the  latter  rain  upon  the  people. 
The  service  closed  with  thanksgiving  to  the  Most.  High  God, 
for  favors  past,  and  hujnble  prayer  f  .r  the  continuation  of 
them,  and  a  blessing  on  the  fav.-r  of  the  day.  In  g"ing  out  or 
the  house,  I  felt  a  caution  to  take  care  not  to  be  drawn  av\ay 
by  the  affections  of  the  people.  I  was  favored  to  take  the  hint, 
and  got  away  as  quick  as  1  could  to  the  Friend's  liouse  near 
by,  away  from  all  noisi*,  and  fell  joy  and  peace  in  so  doing. 
Next  morning,  after  having  a  sweet  refreshing  night's  sleep,  I 
awoke  feeling  clear  of  th'»se  parts.  I  told  my  companion  we 
would  now  leave;  while  all  v\as  well  we  woull  leave  it  well. 

We  took  stage,  and  in  three  days  we  crossed  over  ihe  coun- 
try, to  the  bay  side,  and  came  to  Samue!  Mo  re's,  at  who-e 
liouse  a  Friends' meeting  was  h^^ld,  on  first  days,  once  in  two 
weeks.  The  —  and  —  we  lay  by  and  wrote  home.  The  1 1th 
and  1st  of  the  week,  we  had  a  large,  favored  ujeeiing  at  >anm- 
el  Moore's;  the  minds  of  iht  people  wore  broken  into  tender- 


•  JOSEPH    HOAG.  107 

ness,  several  of  them  to  tlie  shedding  of  tears  plentifully.  In 
the  afternoon  we  had  a  meeting  on  the  mountain,  amongst  a 
poor  people  who  seemed  glad  of  the  visit,  and  much  tendered 
under  the  testimony  I  had  to  bear  amongst  them,  yet  there  did 
not  appear  to  be  much  religious  concern  with  any  of  them.  I 
felt  peace  in  discharging  my  duty.  The  12th  we  rode  to  Gran- 
ville, and  put  up  with  Thomas  Green,  a  public  Friend,  and  the 
only  one  in  this  country.  On  the  13th  we  had  a  full  and  sat- 
isfactory meeting  there,  where  Friends'  meeting  is  held  half  of 
the  time.  On  the  14th  we  had  another  meeting  at  Granville, 
in  a  Baptist  meeting  house.  This  was  a  large  meeting.  I  was 
told  that  four  priests  came  to  that  meeting — all  of  different 
sentiments — and  their  hearers  with  them,  strongly  armed  with 
a  coat  of  mail ;  the  materials,  superstition.  They  did  not  mean 
to  be  touched  on  any  side,  nor  have  their  castle  defaced  any- 
where ;  a  sense  of  the  state  of  the  people  very  much  depressed 
my  mind  with  painful  exercise.  I  said  in  my  heart,  in  vain 
will  it  be  for  me  to  open  my  mouth.  I  felt  much  stripped  in 
spirit,  and  was  resigned  to  pass  the  meeting  in  silence,  believ- 
ing the  Lord  knew  what  was  best  for  me  and  the  people.  My 
mind  became  calm  and  composed ;  after  a  long  silence  I  felt 
the  Word  of  Life  to  arise  with  powerful  authority,  with  those 
words :  "Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutest  thou  me  ?  it  is  hard  for 
thee  to  kick  against  the  pricks."  I  was  led  to  open  and  apply 
the  subject  in  all  its  bearings ;  the  priests'  heads  soon  fell  ;  the 
Lord's  power  came  over  the  meeting,  and  the  mighty  power  of 
the  Most  High  shook  their  castle  to  the  foundation ;  though 
they  struggled  for  awhile,  their  armor  failed  them  ;  their  Goli- 
ah  fell,  and  the  spirit  of  opposition,  Philistine-like,  fled  and  left 
the  field ;  Gospel  Truths  flowed  in  a  clear  and  easy  manner, 
and  dropped  as  the  early  dew  ;  may  it  rest  long  on  the  people, 
many  of  whom  were  broken  to  tenderness  of  heart,  and  some 
to  tears.  Oh  !  may  my  soul  forever  bow  before  the  Lord  in 
humble  gratitude,  thanks  and  praise  to  His  eternal,  holy  name  ! 
The  15th  we  had  a  meeting  at  Annapolis,  in  a  Methodist 
meetiug-house ;  many  inquiring,  tender  people  came  to  it,  and 


108  JOURNAL    OF  • 

the  Lord  favored  us  with  a  good  refreshing  meeting.  The  16th 
we  had  a  meeting  at  Clemmens,  twelve  miles  from  Annapolis, 
among  the  Dutch,  a  poor  people.  We  had  a  solemn,  tender- 
ing time.  They  seemed  much  rejoiced  with  the  visit.  From 
this  we  rode  ten  miles  to  Digby  village,  and  on  the  18th  and 
first  of  the  week  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  Church  meeting- 
house ;  the  minister  gave  up  the  afternoon  to  us.  He  attended 
himself,  and  showed  no  disgust,  though  plain  truths  were  told 
them.  It  was  a  satisfactory  opportunity  to  us,  and  generally 
so  to  the  people.  The  19th  we  went  to  Trout  Cove,  and  had 
a  meeting  there  on  the  20th,  and  found  kind  reception  by  the 
people.  We  also  had  a  meeting  at  Little  Culver's  Hole.  The 
22d  we  had  another  at  Sanchy  Cove.  In  all  these  places  we 
met  with  kind  reception,  and  good  attention  was  paid  to  us. 
The  23d  we  made  round  Stormy  Bay,  ten  miles,  and  lodged 
with  a  man  by  the  name  of  Jones,  and  had  a  meeting  there 
on  first  day,  the  25th,  where  a  great  many  people  were  gather- 
ed together.  The  power  of  Truth  broke  in  upon  them  in  a 
wonderful  manner ;  they  seemed  melted  like  wax,  and  some 
wept  aloud.  The  Lord  was  pleased  to  exalt  the  standard  of 
Truth  and  righteousness,  and  magnify  His  power  in  the  eyes 
of  the  people.     Blessed  be  His  holy  name  fore  verm  ore  ! 

The  26th  we  started  for  Wilmit,  where  Samuel  Moore  lived  ;* 
but  hearing  of  Obadiah  Griffin,  an  old  neighbor  of  my  father's 
when  a  boy,  we  went  thither,  by  whom  w^e  were  joyfully  re- 
ceived. My  companion  having  informed  me  before  that  he 
thought  be  must  return  home  in  the  fall,  now  let  me  know  he 
thought  the  time  had  come.  Not  feeling  clear  of  the  country, 
it  was  a  trial  to  me  to  think  of  parting,  after  traveling  several 
months  together  without  the  least  discordance  ;  but  after  some 
struggle  of  mind  I  was  favored  to  give  him  up,  and  we  parted 
with  composure.  He  went  to  Digby  to  seek  a  passage,  and  I 
went  to  Wilmit,  where  I  made  some  stay. 

The  next  meeting  I  have  an  account  of  was  on  St.  Mary's 
road,  three  miles  from  Digby.  After  it  we  rode  to  Digby,  and 
found   my  companion  there ;  he  had  not  yet  got  a  passage. 


JOSEPH    HOAG,  109 

We  were  one  night  together,  and  had  to  part  again.  We 
went  on  to  Annapolis,  and  made  but  little  stop  there.  I  now 
had  Samuel  Moore  for  company.  The  morning  following  we 
rode  about  five  miles  and  came  to  a  thickly  settled  neighbor- 
hood ;  we  stopped  and  had  a  meeting  with  a  careless,  easy  peo- 
ple, who  concerned  themselves  very  little  about  religion.  Af- 
ter meeting  we  went  to  Robert  Fitz-Randolph's,  the  30th  of 
the  month,  and  lay  by  until  first  day,  when  we  attended  meet- 
ing at  Wilmit,  and  had  an  appointment  on  the  mountain  in  the 
afternoon  ;  the  meeting  was  pretty  full  and  favored.  Truth  gave 
strength  and  utterance  to  clear  my  mind,  so  that  I  felt  fully  relieved. 
I  lay  by  a  short  time,  to  recruit,  if  I  could,  as  I  was  much 
worn  down ;  but  my  rest  was  not  long.  Being  strongly  im- 
pressed to  go  to  Cornwallis  and  Hoveton,  I  informed  Friends 
of  my  prospect,  and  they  approved  of  it.  Samuel  Moore  and 
Thomas  Green  accompanied  me.  The  4th  of  the  week  and 
month,  we  set  out  and  rode  forty  miles,  but  got  in  so  late  that 
there  was  not  time  to  have  a  meeting  that  evening.  We  gave 
the  next  day  to  look  for  a  place  and  inform  the  people,  and  on 
6th  day  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  Baptist  meeting-house.  The 
gathering  was  not  large,  the  inhabitants  mostly  Baptists,  and 
fixed  in  their  belief,  so  that  it  seemed  heavy  getting  along 
amongst  them,  but  1  was  favored  to  relieve  my  mind.  On  the 
Vth  of  the  week  and  month,  we  rode  to  Hoveton  ;  the  8th  of 
the  month  and  first  of  the  week,  we  had  a  large  meeting  in 
the  Baptist  meeting-house  of  that  place  ;  many  of  other  socie- 
ties coming  in,  there  was  an  open  door  for  labor.  My  mind 
was  much  enlarged,  the  doctrines  of  Truth  went  forth  clearly, 
and  appeared  to  be  well  received  by  the  people. 

We  then  returned  to  Samuel  Moore's.  "The  11th,  I  made  a 
little  visit  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Mountain,  and  took  my  final 
leave  of  them.  The  12  th  we  went  to  visit  the  few  Friends  at 
Granville,  and  made  our  home  with  Thomas  Green;  13th, 
met  with  the  few  Friends  there,  and  some  of  their  neighbors 
sat  with  them ;  where  we  experienced  the  Lord's  promise  ful- 
filled— that  where  two  or  three  are  gathered  in  His  name,  there 


110  JOURNAL    OF 

He  would  be  in  the  midst  of  them,  whose  presence  gives  joy 
and  gladness  of  heart  and  raises  the  drooping  head.  The  14th, 
I  appointed  a  meeting  at  Annapolis  ;  but  not  feeling  clear,  I  ap- 
pointed another  on  first  day,  the  15th.  The  collection  of  peo- 
ple was  large,  which  gave  opportunity  to  relieve  my  mind  in  a 
solid,  feeling  manner,  and  to  part  with  them  affectionately.  The 
day  following,  we  rode  to  Digby,  40  miles ;  the  lYth,  we  went 
up  the  River  about  nine  miles,  and  had  a  meeting  on  the  north 
side  of  the  basin.  I  went  to  this  meeting  poor,  empty,  and 
bowed  in  spirit.  In  this  depressed  condition  I  mourned 
awhile,  but  my  Redeemer  was  pleased  in  His  own  time,  to 
arise  with  healing  in  His  wings,  and  to  annoint  the  shield.  I 
went  forth  under  the  banner  of  His  love ;  my  bow  abode  in 
strength,  and  the  battle  was  turned  to  the  gate  this  day,  I 
hope  to  the  everlasting  honor  of  the  true  and  living  God.  The 
—  we  returned  to  Digby,  and  the  next  day,  at  evening,  had  a 
meeting  in  a  private  house.  In  the  course  of  my  communica- 
tion I  was  led  to  address  the  mother  of  a  family,  who  mourned 
with  heart-rending  grief  for  a  drunken  husband,  who  was 
spending  his  property  at  taverns  in  drunkenness ;  so  that  she 
greatly  feared  her  children  would  come  to  poverty  and  want. 
I  had  to  address  her  in  this  language  ;  "  hold  up  thy  head  in 
hope  for  thou  shalt  soon  be  relieved  of  thy  burden ;  thy  hus- 
band shall  be  taken  away  and  laid  under  the  cold' turf  and  not 
suffered  to  deprive  thee  of  a  living  nor  thy  children  of  a  home. 
When  this  takes  place  see  that  thou  art  a  mother  to  thy  chil- 
dren, bringing  them  up  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  that  He  may 
be  a  Husband  to  thee,  and  a  Father  to  thy  children,  and  may 
bless  you."  After  meeting  there  came  in  several  where  I  was. 
One  man  looked  on  me  and  said,  "  According  to  your  preach- 
ing such  a  man  is  going  to  die  soon,  and  you  pictured  him  out 
exactly."  I  said,  "  was  he  at  meethig  ?  He  answered,  "Yes, 
and  his  Avife  too."  Before  I  got  away  from  the  place,  there 
came  a  man  into  the  house  where  I  was,  and  said,  such  a  man 
is  dead,  just  as  the  Minister  said — he  died  drunk — and  now  we 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  Ill 

want  to  get  the  Minister  to  stay  and  preacli  the  funeral  sermon. 
I  thought  it  best  to  pass  away  as  quietly  as  I  could. 

Not  feeling  clear  of  the  inhabitants  up  the  River  St.  John's,  I 
made  the  second  visit,  with  Samuel  Moore  for  company ;  he 
made  an  agreeable  companion.  The  21st  we  set  sail  for  New 
Brunswick  and  arrived  there  about  twelve  at  night.  The  next, 
being  first  day,  at  evening  we  had  a  large,  solid,  comfortable 
meeting  in  tlie  Metho«list  meeting  liouse;  in  it  my 
f^pirit  was  revived,  and  courage  renewed  in  the  Lord 
to  go  forward  in  hope.  Accordingly  we  sailed  up  the 
River  about  forty  miles  to  Archelaus  Carpenter's,  and  got 
there  the  25th  of  the  month.  The  26th,  we  had  a  large 
meeting  at  Ilohert  Smith's  in  the  neighborhood ;  here  the  way 
for  communication  was  made  easy,  the  doctrines  of  Truth  were 
clearly  opened  and  the  people  gave  good  attention.  Near  the 
close,  a  comely  woman  stood  up  and  acknowledged,  "This  is 
the  everlasting  truth  we  have  heard  to-day ;  and  there  is  no 
other  way  to  be  saved ;"  and  she  wished  the  audience  to  prize 
the  favor,  and  in  all  diligence  to  make  their  peace  with  God. 

Feeling  clear  of  this  place,  we  took  the  boat  to  go  up  the 
River,  the  wind  being  ahead,  we  stopped  after  getting  about 
four  miles.  The  next  day,  the  27th,  the  wind  being  ahead,  we 
traveled  on  foot  six  miles,  to  Benjamin  Birdsall's.  Here  wc 
stopped  and  had  a  meeting  with  a  careless  people ;  yet  such 
were  the  mercies  of  the  Lord  that  the  Truth  came  over  all,  and 
the  minds  of  many  were  tendered.  The  29th,  and  first  of  the 
week,  we  had  a  meeting  in  Waterbury  with  the  Baptists. 
Though  the  Lord  gave  strength  and  utterance  amongst  them, 
they  were  so  settled  in  their  belief  that  it  was  like  pouring  wa- 
ter on  a  rock,  yet  I  felt  peace  in  doing  my  duty.  After  meet- 
ing we  traveled  twelve  miles  to  Hugh  Copperthwait's,  in  Shef- 
field. The  30th,  had  a  meeting  there  at  evening,  amongst  a 
loose,  hard  people,  mostly  refugees.  It  required  sharp,  heavy 
strokes  to  enter  old  dozy  blocks ;  this  made  the  labor  hard,  but 
good  was  the  Lord,  who  helped  me  to  clear  my  mind,  so  that  I 
felt  easy  to  leave  them,  and  glad  to  escape. 


112  JOURNAL     OF 

The  1st  of  the  12th  month,  we  traveled  twelve  miles  to 
Nicholas  Rideout's  and  lodged  with  him.  The  2d  of  the 
month  we  sat  with  a  tender  few  who  were  concerned  to  meet 
together  in  the  manner  of  Friends,  and  were  comforted.  I  had 
to  encourage  them  to  abide  faithful,  and  the  Lord  would  be 
with  them  and  keep  them  in  safety.  The  3d  we  were  detained 
by  a  snow  storm.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  4th  we  started 
for  Frederickton,  finding  the  river  not  passable,  we  returned  to 
our  Friend  Rideout's.  We  had  a  little  meeting  in  the  neigh- 
borhood on  the  5th  of  the  month,  and  next  day  the  first  of  the 
•week,  we  met  with  the  few  fiiendly  people  at  Rideout's,  where 
they  commonly  met.  Notice  being  given  of  our  being  there,  a 
pretty  large  company  came  in.  Here  I  was  favored  with  a 
lively,  clear  testimony.  In  the  afternoon  we  met  with  the  few 
friendly  people  who  chose  to  meet  by  themselve^s,  as  usual ;  the 
life  of  Gospel  love  was  sweetly  felt  amongst  them.  Feeling 
much  sympathy  with  them  I  was  led  to  encourage  them  to 
abide  in  and  keep  the  word  of  patience ;  it  was  these  the  Lord 
would  keep  in  the  hour  of  temptation. 

The  '7th  of  the  month,  the  roads  not  being  fit  to  travel,  we 
lay  by.  The  8th,  Ave  made  trial,  and  got  across  the  river  on  the 
ice,  and  went  to  Frederickton,  made  our  home  with  Robert 
Smith,  and  w^ere  kindly  used.  The  9th,  at  evening,  we  had  a 
large,  crowded  meeting,  at  Cornelius  Ackerman's.  Here  I 
w^as  led  to  show  that  the  devil  was  the  first  that  ever  preached 
the  doctrine  that  a  man  might  sin  and  should  not  die;  and  to 
show  that  God  had  always  said  the  soul  that  sins  shall  surely 
die ;  that  God  had  Ministers  and  the  devil  had  Ministers,  and 
when  we  heard  Ministers  preach  such  doctrine  as  the  devil  first 
preached  we  might  know  they  were  not  the  Lord's  Ministers. 
I  was  led  largely  into  the  subject ;  the  people  gave  good  atten- 
tion, and  appeared  solid.  I  was  told  after  meeting  that  there 
was  a  great  dispute  between  the  New  Lights  and  Methodists, 
each  claiming  the  right  of  likeness  to  the  Quakers.  The  man 
remarked,  "You  have  decided  the  dispute."  I  asked  him, 
how  it  turned?     He  said,  "The  New  Lights  believe,  'once  in 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  113 

grace,  always  in  grace,'  in  the  extreme ;  and  you  have  laid  all 
that  waste,  and  the  Methodists  exult."  I  was  told  there  was  a 
number  of  both  sorts  at  meeting.  After  another  meeting  I 
was  attacked  by  a  "New  Light  preacher,  and  about  twenty  with 
him;  he  accosted  me  thus:  "Well,  friend,  I  can  fellowship 
you,  I  have  seen  Quakers  before,  and  if  I  am  ever  so  happy  as 
to  get  to  heaven  I  expect  to  have  Quaker's  company ;  but  how 
you  get  along  without  baptism  and  the  sacrament,  or  Lord's 
Supper,  I  cannot  see."  Being  fatigued  and  seeing  such  a  sharp- 
looking  man,  and  a  large  company  with  him,  I  was  afraid,  for  I 
thought  they  came  for  argument,  which  I  was  not  fond  of.  I 
sat  a  little  to  think  when  it  came  into  my  mind  to  ask  a  few 
questions,  which  would,  perhaps,  bring  the  matter  to  a  close. 
I  proceeded  :  "  Did  I  understand  thee  that  thou  believest  there 
are  Quakers,  in  Heaven  ? "  Answer,  "  Yes."  Question — "  Is 
there  any  way  to  get  into  heaven,  but  by  Christ,  the  door?" 
Answer,  "  No."  Question — "  Are  they  ever  turned  out  when 
once  admitted."  Answer,  "  No."  I  then  remarked,  "  Then  I 
think  the  Quakers  have  the  better  of  the  Baptists,  and  make  a 
saving."  He  said,  "  Why  so  ?  "  I  remarked,  "  We  save  the 
labor  of  going  down  into  the  water,  and  coming  out  again,  and 
drying  our  clothes,  and  get  to  Heaven  as  safe  as  you."  He 
sat  a  little,  then  arose  and  took  me  by  the  hand,  with  these 
words ;  "  I  can  bid  you  God  speed,  farewell ; "  and  went  oft 
with  his  company ;  and  glad  was  L 

The  10th  we  traveled  up  the  river  seven  miles.  A  storm 
coming  on,  we  stopped  with  General  Isaac  Allen,  who  kindly 
invited  us  to  stay  with  him  through  the  storm.  The  12th,  we 
moved  on  up  the  river  about  four  miles,  and  stopped  to  have 
a  meeting  in  the  evening.  We  met  with  painful  trials,  as  I 
had  now  got  on  the  ground,  where  the  people  held  their  meet- 
ings somewhat  in  the  form  of  Friends  for  several  years,  and  had 
rejected  the  common  ceremonies.  There  came  in  a  New  Light 
preacher  who  staid  round  several  months,  and  persuaded  a  num- 
ber of  them  to  go  into  the  water,  and  forbid  women's  preaching ; 
he  had  crazed  one  woman  but  the  other  two  somewhat  stood 


114  JOURNAL    OF 

tlieir  ground.  He  forbade  the  people  to  meet  in  tlie  Quaker- 
way,  as  he  called  it.  There  were  a  number  who  would  not  go 
into  the  water  nor  receive  his  doctrine  ;  and  after  he  had  got 
the  people  all  in  confusion  and  contention,  he  went  off  and 
left  them  in  a  pitiful  situation.  I  found  it  my  business  to  go 
among  the  remnant,  that  had  not  been  drawn  away,  encourag- 
ing them  to  meet  together  as  before.  They  had  found  the  ef- 
fects of  admitting  Ministers  to  preach  in  their  meetings  before 
they  knew  their  pinciples.  I  thought  it  a  sufhcicnt  warning  in 
fature,  but,  poor  things!  they  seemed  so  bmken  and  heart 
rent,  that,  I  could  but  mourn  for  them.  0!  may  the  Lord  be 
a  wall  about  them  !  I  believed  it  right  to  encourage  the  v\o- 
men  to  stand  their  ground. 

The  13th  and  first  of  the  week,  we  had  a  meeting  in  Cove 
village,  in  King's  Clear.  It  was  large,  both  sorts  being  present. 
My  mind  was  led  in  a  clear,  discriminating  line  of  doctrine, 
between  the  precious  and  the  vile,  the  letter  and  the  Spirit,  cer- 
emony and  Gospel  substance  ;  in  that  the  letter  killeth,  but  the 
quickening  of  the  Spirit  maketh  alive  unto  love  and  good  works. 
This  rejoiced  the  poor  broken  ones,  the  others  were  silenced, 
and  Truth  had  the  victory.  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Most 
High,  who  is  strength  in  weakness,  riches  in  poverty,  and  a 
ready  helper  in  every  needful  time,  to  all  those  Avho  look  to, 
and  put  their  trust  entirely  in  Him. 

The  14th,  (I  think)  we  had  a  meeting,  to  which  a  number  of 
black  people  come  ;  it  was  a  tendering  time.  They  seemed 
more  open  and  ready  to  believe  the  Truth  than  many  who  had 
more  information,  for  they  acknowledged  they  felt  the  Truth. 
The  15th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Archelaus  Hammond's  in  the 
evening — not  large,  but  satisfactory,  excei)ting  some  lightness 
amongst  the  youni:'  people,  but  they  became  s.-ber  before  meet- 
ing ended.  Not  feelitig  clear  of  the  place,  we  appointed  anoih- 
er  meeting  in  the  neighborhood,  for  the  evening  of  the  16lh. 
It  was  laro-e.  Truth  c-uiie  over  all  and  arose  in  dominion.  The 
people  were  t.'n<le;'ed  and  fully  acknowledged  to  the  truth  of 
what  was  delivered  among  them.     The  17th,  we  had  a  meeting 


JOSEPH    HO  AG.  115 

at  Jolin  Bar"l5:er's,  to  good  satisfaction  to  ourselves  and  the  peo- 
ple. 19tli,  had  a  meeting  in  the  evening  at  the  house  of  John 
Lawrence,  a  favored,  solemn  time.  20th,  first  day,  had  anoth- 
er meeting  in  the  neighborhood,  to  which  a  large,  number 
came.  I  found  my  mind  drawn  to  take  up  the  subject  of  man's 
sinning  during  life ;  that  those  who  believed  in  and  taught 
that  doctrine  were  not  the  followers  of  Christ,  for  he  came  to 
put  an  end  to  sin,  and  finish  transgression,  and  in  the  room 
thereof  to  bring  in  everlasting  righteousness,  (a  new  doctrine 
in  this  part  of  the  country),  which  made  the  people  stare  for 
awhile.  Through  the  mercies  of  the  Most  High,  I  felt  my 
mind  harnessed  for  the  day,  and  enabled  to  show  them  from 
many  Scripture  texts,  that  God  through  Christ  had  amply  pro- 
v'ded  means,  in  the  pouring  forth  of  the  spirit  of  His  grace 
upon  all  flesh ;  a  measure  of  which  was  given  to  every  man 
to  profit  withal,  which,  if  they  beheved  in,  and  obeyed  in 
all  things,  it  would  become  that  strength  in  them,  which 
would  enable  them  to  walk  in  newness  of  life — after  the 
Spirit  and  not  after  the  flesh — and  to  worship  the  Father 
in  spirit  and  in  truth,  which  was  the  only  worship  accepted 
of  Him ;  and  I  was  led  to  show  them  that  what  was  not  of 
God,  was  sin,  as  well  in  worship,  as  in  all  other  conduct.  I 
was  much  helped — the  word  went  forth  clear  and  in  good  au- 
thority. The  meeting  was  quiet  and  closed  solidly,  for  which 
I  felt  renewed  cause  to  give  thanks,  and  praise  to  the  Lord 
Most  High,  for  the  favors  of  the  day. 

21st,  not  being  well,  I  lay  by,  except  riding  about  five 
miles  to  Bear  Island,  where  we  had  a  large  meeting  the  2 2d, 
in  the  evening.  The  people  were  attentive  and  quiet,  and  I 
think  it  was  to  the  satisfaction  of  all.  After  this  meeting  I 
felt  at  liberty  to  turn  about.  1  left  some  of  them  weeping;  it 
was  an  humbling  parting.  23d,  traveled  ten  miles,  mostly  on 
foot,  and  put  up  at  Benjamin  Stewart's,  formerly  from  Fishtill, 
New  York  State,  who  kindly  entertained  us.  24th  and  25th 
we  continued  our  travel  on  foot  through  the  snow,  which  was 
very  fatiguing,  until  we  got  to  Jonathan  Sisson's,  at  Li;5away 


116  JOURNAL    OF 

Creek ;  he-  was  from  my  native  country,  and  ver}^  glad  to  see 
me.     Here  we  had  a  good  home,  where  we  rested  the  26th. 

First-day,  the  27th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Jonathan  Sisson's, 
where  we  found  a  few  serious,  enquiring  people,  and  the  way 
opened  to  minister  Gospel  truths,  which  were  gladly  received. 

29th,  we  had  a  meeting  on Island.     In  this  meeting  it 

was  shown  me  in  the  clear  light  of  the  Lord,  that  the  people 
had  been  visited  with  the  day-spring  from  on  high,  and  much 
awakened ;  and  that  the  Priests,  (as  in  some  other  places)  had 
taken  this  opportunity  to  make  them  believe  that  this  was  their 
day  of  grace,  and  seal  of  their  election ;  that  they  never  could 
be  lost ;  and  had  turned  the  minds  of  the  people  from  that 
which  began  the  work  of  reformation  in  them,  to  believe  that 
if  they  were  baptized  in  water,  partook  of  the  sacrament,  as 
they  call  it,  kept  the  Sabbath-day,  and  paid  the  Priests 
well,  all  was  well,  even  while  sin  had  dominion  over  them  ;  and 
the  last  state  of  such  was  worse  than  first.  I  was  constrained 
to  take  up  the  subject  at  large,  and  go  into  all  its  branches  and 
show  the  corruptness  of  such  principles,  and  the  weakness  and 
hardness  of  heart  it  would  leave  them  in ;  that  it  was  delusion, 
and  delusion  always  brought  forth  sin,  and  sometimes,  conduct 
transacted  and  cloaked  under  religion,  that  was  strange.  After 
going  through  these  subjects  I  was  helped  in  a  marv^ellous 
manner  to  call  the  attention  of  the  people  to  that  which  first 
awakened  them,  showing  them  from  many  Scripture  texts  what 
it  was  and  what  it  would  do  for  them  ;  and  if  they  would  be- 
lieve in  it  they  would  have  the  everlasting  Gospel  preached  to 
them  without  money  and  without  price.  After  this  meeting, 
feeling  so  relieved  and  clothed  with  peace,  I  could  but  admire 
and  marvel  in  thinking  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  in  giving  a 
sense  of,  and  strength  to  speak  to  the  state  of  the  people ;  they 
acknowledged  it  was  so,  and  that  many  had  run  into  strange 
things ;  so  much  so,  that  an  unlawful  intimacy  had  been  urged 
with  one  of  their  Ministers,  as  the  will  of  God. 

After  meeting,  we  went  to  Cornel  Allen's  ;  30th,  we  came  to 
Frederickton,  and  having  a  heavy  cold  on  my  lungs,  we  lay  by 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  117 

till  the  2d  of  1st  month,  1802.  In  the  evening  we  had  a  meet- 
ing in  the  town ;  many  came  and  apparently  well  satisfied.  3d, 
first  day,  we  moved  down  the  river ;  my  being  much  unwell, 
we  traveled  slowly ;  4th,  we  got  to  Hugh  Copperthwaite's ; 
6th,  we  rode  about  twelve  miles,  but  growing  more  unwell,  I 
gave  up  proceeding,  only  as  I  could  bear  it,  but  soon  had  to 
stop.  This  gave  chance  to  recruit  a  little,  but  feeling  my  mind 
drawn  towards  a  village  at  the  head  of  Grand  Lake,  I  persua- 
ded Benjamin  Birdsall  to  take  us  there,  a  distance  of  thirty 
miles;  he  took  us  to  Marraaduke  Hutchinson's.  We  found 
them  Friends  and  rejoiced  to  see  us  come  ;  we  had  a  meeting 
at, his  house  next  day,  and  they  being  much  beloved  by  their 
neighbors,  and  living  near  the  village,  the  meeting  was  full — a 
precious,  tendering  time.  The  first  Deacon  of  the  church,  with 
his  wife,  was  convinced  of  the  Truth  at  that  meeting ;  both 
have  since  become  members  of  our  Society,  and  nearly  all  their 
large  family  of  children.  Next  day  we  parted  with  them  af- 
fectionately, and  returned  to  Benjamin  Birdsall's  on  the  11th. 
But  my  weakness  on  the  lungs  rather  increasing  I  lay  by  sev- 
eral days  until  I  was  a  little  recruited,  and  then  went  down  the 
river  to  Wickham,  to  Samuel  IJnderhill's,  where  we  stopped 
and  had  a  large  meeting  on  first  day,  the  i7th,  which  was  tru- 
ly favored,  and  the  people  were  generally  tendered,  acknow- 
ledging the  truth  of  what  they  had  heard.  AVhen  I  came  into 
this  place  and  informed  what  my  prospect  was,  and  when  they 
said  a  Baptist  Minister  had  appointed  a  meeting  the  same  day 
and  hour,  and  notice  was  spread.  I  thought  of  it  a  little  and 
then  told  them  I  felt  best  to  attend  to  my  own  prospect,  and 
as  we  lived  in  a  free  country,  the  people  might  go  the  way  they 
liked.  My  proposal  was  complied  with,  and  when  the  time 
came,  the  Priest  seeing  how  the  minds  of  the  people  stood, 
proposed  to  them  to  drop  his  appointment  and  come  with 
them  to  my  meeting.  This  was  readily  agreed  to  ;  the  Priest 
acknowledged  he  was  glad  he  was  there,  being  well  paid  for 
coming ;  the  presence  of  the  Lord  was  amongst  us,  and  he 
wished  the  people  to  take  heed  to  what  they  had  heard,  for  it 


118  JOURNAL    OF 

was  tlie  truth.  I  note  this  for  encouragement  to  you,  my  chil- 
dren, to  stand  faithful  to  the  pure  openings  of  liglit  and  life, 
resting  assured  that  the  Lord  will  make  way  for  the  right  thing. 
The  18th,  we  went  down  to  New  Brunswick,  and  my  lungs 
becoming  more  affected,  we  staid  until  we  could  get  a  passage 
in  a  good  vessel  to  Digby.  We  sailed  at  two  in  the  afternoon, 
and  in  a  few  hours  there  came  on  a  tremendous  storm  from  the 
south-east  and  brought  the  fog  so  thick  that  we  could  not  see 
from  bow  to  stern  of  the  vessel.  They  had  soon  to  light  lamps, 
and  the  tide  going  out  we  had  a  dreadful  sea.  Night  came 
on,  dark  beyond  description,  so  that  for  twelve  hours  it  seemed 
awful.  In  the  morning  we  narrowly  escaped  being  dashed  upon 
the  rocks ;  but  our  lives  were  all  spared,  and  we  had  to  look 
back  and  reflect  upon  the  marvelous  providence  and  tender 
mercies  of  Him  who  controlleth  the  great  deep.  We  staid  at 
Digby  one  night,  and  then  went  up  the  river  to  Wilraet,  home 
witli  my  companion,  who,  to  his  joy,  found  his  family  all  well. 
By  this  tiu:e  I  was  nut  able  to  travel.  I  kept  my  room  mostly, 
for  several  weeks,  except  to  attend  meetings  as  they  came  in, 
course.  They  were  held  half  the  time  at  Samuel  Moore's,  at 
whose  house  I  was  then  staying.  Whilst  here  T  heard  of  three 
faniilii'S  of  Friends,  (the  men  were  all  brothers),  that  lived  back 
ill  the  count  j-y,  and  had  not  been  visited  by  Friends  since  they 
came  there.  I  felt  my  mind  impressed  night  and  day  to  go 
and  see  them.  When  I  was  recruited  so  that  1  could  ride  I 
set  out  with  Samuel  Moore  and  Thomas  Green  for  company, 
and  found  them;  one  of  the  brothers  was  dead.  They  told  us 
they  agreed  tor  their  passage  to  Pennsylvania,  but  before  they 
sailed,  (unknown  to  them),  the  Captain  was  ordered  to  land 
them  in  Nova  Scotia,  just  about  the  time  war  was  declared 
with  America,  and  it  contitmed  so  long  that  they  became  dis- 
co r  ged  and  bought  land  there,  and  had  lived  in  the  country 
twent}-eight  years,  without  having  any  intercourse  with  our 
S  )ciety.  The  old  people  appeared  to  retain  the  likeness  of 
Frl  nds,  in  language,  dep  rtment  and  dress.  The  children  were 
much  ipOne,  except  thosQ  of  the  youngest  brother,  who  had  set- 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  119 

tied  a  nnniber  of  miles  back.  T'  e  parents  were  in  tlie  practice 
of  sitting  down  with  their  children  on  Mrst  days,  which  the 
others  had  omitted.  The  difference  in  the  families  was  easily 
seen.  We  had  a  meeting  in  each  neighborhood,  but  this  last 
was  a  solid,  tendering  and  joyful  time  to  this  dear  family. 
When  we  parted  with  them,  tears  fell  ft-om  their  cheeks  like 
drops  of  rain,  and  my  heart  ached  for  them.  We  returned  to 
the  other  settlement  where  I  was  taken  sick  and  confined  a 
wei'k.  When  recruited,  we  had  another  meeting  with  them 
and  parted,  and  I  returned  to  Samuel  Moore's.  After  parting 
with  these  Friends  and  looking  over  the  great  number  I  had 
fallen  in  with,  who  told  me  their  parents  or  grand-parents  were 
Friends,  and  some  that  they  were  members,  appearing  as  sheep 
without  a  Sliepherd,  all  within  me  capable  of  feeling  was  awa- 
kened to  sympathy,  so  that  I  could  but  pour  forth  my  prayer 
to  the  Lord  that  He  w^ould  pity  tids  land  and  b(;  a  Shepherd 
to  the  people.  In  many  places  I  was  entreated  with  tears  to 
come  and  live  among  them  ;  that  they  wnuhl  be  Friends  and 
enjoy  Society;  for  ihey  could  be  nothing  else  and  thty  would 
not  go  to  hear  the  Priests ;  therefore  they  were  nothing. 
Many  affecting  scene-  I  passed  through  in  this  land,  feeling 
this  language  pass  through  my  mind;  Oh!  that  Friends  did 
but  enough  consider  what  our  fore-fathers  passed  throuiih  for 
the  principles  we  profess,  and  the  blood  of  the  righteous  that 
was  shed  for  the  liberty  we  enjoy,  they  would  nt)t  wander  from 
the  sacred  enclosure  of  Israel's  King  as  they  do," seeing  the 
Lord  doth  not  withhold  anything  that  is  for  the  good  of  those 
who  love  him. 

Ketuining  to  Samuel  Moore's,  I  found  myself  unable  to  keep 
up,  and  in  a  few  days  was  confined  to  the  bed  with  an  inflam- 
mation of  the  iui^s  Hvire  I  was  c  )nfi:ie  I  for  n-aly  three 
month-,  and  was  brought  near  the  grav*' ;  the  pain  and  agony 
I  underwent,  1  cannot  describe;  affecting  my  head,  so  that  I 
was  often  fl  ghty  in  my  talk.  When  more  settled,  the  thought 
of  being  deranged,  and  also  of  dying  in  a  stran  e  land,  away 
from  my  family  aud  friends,  was  very  afflicting.    The  eld  eue- 


120  JOURNAL    OF 

my  was  suffered  to  throw  his  fiery  d^rts,  which  tried  my  faith 
to  an  hair's  breadth,  in  presenting  to  me  that  this  was  the  re- 
ward of  all  my  toil  and  anxiety  ;  that  I  had  preached  repent- 
ance, which  was  false  doctrine,  for  God  never  sinned ;  and  I 
had  told  the  people  that  God  had  sent  Ilis  Son,  Jesus  Christ, 
into  the  world,  who  had  laid  down  his  life  as  an  offering,  ac- 
ceptable to  God,  His  Father,  that  sinners  might  be  converted  ; 
all  this  was  horrid  blasphemy,  for  it  was  inconsistent  with  the 
nature  of  God,  reason,  or  good  sense,  to  believe  that  He  would 
take  the  life  of  a  good  man,  (for  he  was  a  good  man),  to  satisfy 
His  revenge  on  the  wicked,  was  horrid  to  believe ;  fiat  I  had 
preached  it  up,  and  that  if  I  would  renounce  this  false  doctrine, 
I  should  feel  better,  for  I  was  going  to  die,  and  if  I  did  not  do 
it,  hell  would  be  my  doom.  This  put  me  in  such  agony  that  I 
requested  no  one  should  be  admitted  into  the  room  without 
my  consent.  I  kept  my  room,  in  this  condition,  for  two  weeks, 
but  all  through  this  sore  trial  I  felt  a  spirit  in  me  to  contradict 
all  these  presentations,  and  when  the  darkest  shades  of  despair 
came  over  me,  it  kept  a  little  spark  of  hope  alive,  which  could 
not  be  put  out.  I  was  reduced  under  these  trials  to  an  almost 
helpless  condition  ;  to  deny  all  that  I  had  ever  found  comfort  in, 
I  durst  not,  without  an  evidence  of  light,  that  would  bring  peace 
and  quiet  to  the  mind — this  I  did  not  find.  To  try  to  comfort 
myself  with  past  experience,  I  found,  gave  no  relief.  I  turned 
and  turned,  but  found  no  ray  of  solid  comfort,  until  I  gave  up  to 
die  in  that  country,  in  just  such  a  manner  as  the  Lord  was 
pleased  I  should ;  for  in  all  these  rolling  thoughts,  there  was 
nothing  in  me  that  would  consent  that  God  was  not  perfect 
goodness,  and  equally  just.  This  grain  of  faith  I  never  gave 
up,  and  it  proved  enough  to  keep  the  fire  of  hope  alive.  For 
a  number  of  days  I  durst  not  converse  with  any  person,  only 
to  ask  for  what  I  needed.  I  dared  not  look  into  a  book,  as  I 
found  my  mind  could  not  bear  it.  I  lay  for  days  and  nights, 
keeping  as  still  as  possible  in  body  and  mind  ;  the  only  theme 
of  meditation  was,  "  I  am  here  before  thee,  0  Lord !  a  poor, 
helpless  creature  !     If  I  have  been  wrong,  less  or  more,  Thou 


JOSEPH    HO  AG.  121"' 

knowest  it  all,  and  canst  show  it  me ;  if  I  have  been  right,  Thou 
canst  confirm  it  to  me,  and  strengthen  me  to  endure  whatever 
Thou  wiliest  I  should,  without  a  murmur.  Here  I  am,  in  life, 
in  death,  and  in  judgment ;  do  with  me  what  is  good  in  Thine 
eye." 

In  this  state  of  mind  only,  could  I  feel  composed,  and  enjoy 
a  little  the  comforts  of  hope,  until  the  Lord  was  pleased  in 
mercy,  to  take  me  out  of  the  horrible  pit,  and  give  me  to  see 
in  the  clear  visions  of  light,  that  it  was  the  hour  of  temptation 
which  I  had  passed  through,  in  which,  and  with  which  kind  of 
floods  the  old  dragon  had  swallowed  up  many,  and  would  draw 
down  many  with  the  sweep  of  his  tail ;  and  as  I  did  not  run 
with  the  temptation,  nor  lean  to  my  own  understanding,  but 
had  regard  to  that  Spirit  which  withstood  the  tempter  in  me, 
and  had  called  on  Him  alone,  and  not  on  another — therefore 
He  heard  me,  and  would  hear  all  such,  and  keep  them  in  the 
hour  of  temptation  from  falling.  The  floods  passed  away ;  I 
seemed  as  though  I  was  in  another  world,  much  like  a  Paradise. 
I  found  the  feet  of  my  mind  once  more  set  on  the  Rock  of  all 
Ages,  that  was  never  prevailed  against,  and  was  higher  than 
I,  and  where  I  could  sing  praises  to  the  Lord  God,  and  the 
Lamb,  who  was  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world. 

I  soon  recovered,  and  spring  having  come  on,  I  made  prep- 
aration to  return  to  the  States.  The  19th  of  the  4th  month,  I 
came  to  Bigby  to  seek  a  passage,  but  had  to  wait  several  days, 
in  which  time  I  felt  a  draft  on  my  mind  to  make  some  visits. 
I  attended  to  it,  and  attended  a  meeting  at  James  Hollinghead's, 
at  Jogins,  and  one  at  Joseph  Young's,  at  Digby ;  both  were 
comfortable  and  refreshing  to  me.  23d  of  4th  month,  I  em- 
barked for  the  States  about  9  in  the  morning,  with  a  fair  wind, 
but  had  sailed  only  a  few  hours,  when  there  came  on  a  heavy 
northeast  storm ;  before  it  we  ran  three  days  and  nights.  "When 
in  sight  of  and  opposite  Cape  Cod,  the  storm  ceased,  and  for  twen- 
ty-four hours  we  had  a  calm.  The  sea  having  been  blown  into 
great  swells,  and  the  wind  ceasing  at  once,  we  could  not  sail 
at  all,  and  the  vessel  rolled  exceedingly.  The  next  morning 
8 


122  JOURNAL    OF 

the  wind  stirted  firom  the  W.  N.  W.,  with  a  tremendaous  blow, 
so  that  we  were  in  imminent  danger  for  six  hours.  About  the 
middle  of  the  day  it  abated,  and  I  was  set  on  shore  at  Martha*s 
Vineyard,  near  the  house  of  a  Friend  named  Coffin,  who,  with 
his  family,  were  glad  to  see  me  return.  I  had  not  been  long 
here,  before  I  felt  drawings  of  mind  to  pay  a  visit  to  Gay  Head. 
I  went  and  had  a  solid  meeting  with  the  people  of  color,  and 
found  my  mind  entirely  relieved,  and  at  liberty  to  take  a  final 
&rewelL  We  returned  to  Wm.  Coffin's,  and  on  first  day  the 
2d  of  5th  month,  had  a  meeting  there,  and  one  in  the  afternoon 
a  few  miles  oS,  at  the  house  of  Obed  Coffin,  both  to  good  sat- 
isfaction. 

The  5th  I  was  landed  on  Nantucket,  and  the  day  following 
I  attended  the  South  meeting.  Next  day  had  a  meeting  at 
New  Town,  and  felt  well  satisfied  it  was  right  that  I  attended 
to  the  opening  on  my  mind.  The  9th,  first  day,  I  attended 
the  South  meeting  iu  the  morning,  and  at  the  North  in  the 
afternoon.  In  both  these  meetings,  I  was  enabled  to  clear  my 
mind  in  the  most  relieving  manner  that  I  ever  experienced  in 
this  place.  The  packet  not  being  ready  to  sail,  I  had  to  stay 
until  after  their  mid-week  meetings.  In  both  these,  I  felt  con- 
strained to  come  to  dose,  plain  work,  there  having  been  a  di- 
vision amongst  them,  that  had  done  much  hurt  After  these 
meetings,  and  having  had  private  opportunities  with  several  of 
them,  I  felt  clear,  and  saw  my  way  to  leave  them. 

14th,  I  took  my  departure  fix)m  Nantucket,  with  the  enjoy- 
ment of  a  peaceful  mind,  that  made  all  around  me  look  beauti- 
ful. 15th,  I  was  set  on  shore  at  Yarmouth,  and  first  day,  the 
16th,  I  attended  tliat  meeting,  and  had  the  company  of  dear, 
aged  Mary  Mitchell,  and  heard  her  blow  her  little  trumpet  as 
clear  as  a  belL  It  was  like  marrow  to  my  bones  to  see  such 
greenness  in  old  age,  and  such  precious  fruit  brought  forth. 
After  meeting,  rode  to  Sandwich,  and  went  to  Paul  Wing's, 
who  appeared  rejoiced  to  see  me  return,  and  soon  walked  over 
to  Joseph  Wing's — ^my  former  c(  moanion  for  several  months — 
who  seemed  as  much  rejoiced  to  see  me  return.    On  returning 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  123 

to  Paul  Wing's  I  found  myself  unable  to  travel,  so  lay  by  seve- 
ral days  and  attended  tbeir  mid-week  meeting. 

It  being  known  tliat  I  was  expected  there,  the  meeting  was 
full.  I  felt  my  mind  uncommonly  shut  up,  and  much  com- 
posed in  stillness.  Musing,  why  is  it  that  I  am  so  shut  up,  and 
feel  so  easy  ;  a  language  ran  through  my  mind,  "There  are  a 
number  of  members  here  who  would  not  have  been  present,  had 
they  not  expected  thee ;  they  are  waiting  for,  and  looking  to 
thee,  and  not  to  Me,  the  Giver  of  all  good."  I  became  satisfied, 
and  passed  the  meeting  in  silence,  feeling  great  ^eace  of  mind 
in  so  doing.  Not  feeling  clear  of  the  place,  I  went  to  see  the 
sick,  made  some  social  visits,  and  had  religious  opportunities 
in  two  or  three  families.  After  attending  their  meeting  on  first 
day,  in  which  I  had  good  service — but  mostly  for  other  people 
— ^in  the  line  of  doctrine,  not  yet  feeling  clear,  I  proposed  to 
meet  with  them  on  second  day,  which  was  agreed  to.  In  this 
meeting  my  mind  was  bowed  under  a  deep  and  clear  sense, 
that  there  was  a  trying  day  coming  on  Friends,  in  that  part  of 
the  land  ;  a.  sifting  time,  in  which  every  foundation  would  be 
tried.  I  had  to  sound  the  alarm  in  a  solemn,  moving  manner ; 
it  seemed  to  settle  on  the  minds  of  the  people,  and  I  felt  fully 
reheved. 

24th  I  took  leave  of  my  Friends  affectionately,  and  went  to 
Pembroke,  and  attended  their  Preparative  Meeting,  and  not 
feeling  clear,  made  a  short  tarry.  I  went  to  Marshfield,  and 
had  a  meeting  at  Joseph  Rogers',  and  another  in  Hanover  at 
Mordecai  Ellis',  and  returned  to  Pembroke,  and  attended  that 
meeting  on  first  day,  In  all  the  above  meetings,  ability  was 
given  to  discharge  the  duty  required  of  me,  so  as  to  feel  re- 
lieved, and  to  enjoy  a  peaceful  mind.  I  then  moved  on  to 
Lynn,  and  attended  their  fore  and  afternoon  meetings  on  first 
day,  the  6th  of  6th  month.  In  the  first  I  was  silent — in  the 
latter,  much  enlarged,  to  the  satisfaction  of  my  Friends,  and 
the  relief  and  comfort  of  my  own  mind.  Thence  to  Salem,  to 
attend  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  which  was  large,  and  though  ex- 
ercising on  account  of  the  state  of  Society  as  shown  in  the  ac- 


124  JOURNAL    OF 

counts  brought  up,  yet  in  the  main,  was  a  favored  meeting.  I 
then  proceeded  to  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  was  able  to  attend 
the  several  sittings,  though  much  unwell.  The  business  in  gen- 
eral was  conducted  with  a  good  degree  of  harmony. 

After  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  I  returned  to  Provi- 
dence, and  on  the  following  day  had  a  favored  meeting  at  Cum- 
berland, amongst  a  thoughtful  people.  On  first  day,  20th,  I 
attended  a  meeting  at  Smithfield  in  the  forenoon,  and  Provi- 
dence in  the  afternoon,  and  bad  good  service  in  both.  I  ex- 
pected to  go  direct  to  New  Bedford,  without  making  any  stop 
excepting  for  refreshments,  but  was  suddenly  taken  sick,  so 
that  I  could  not  tarvel.  When  a  little  recovered,  it  was  shown 
me  that  I  had  to  go  to  Swansey,  with  which  I  compHed,  after 
some  close  exercise.  I  attended  one  meeting,  and  had  another 
appointed  amongst  and  for  other  people,  which  was  large,  and 
much  favored.  My  way  being  clear,  I  now  went  to  New  Bed- 
ford, enjoying  a  peaceful  mind.  I  there  made  my  home  with 
Wm.  Rotch,  the  elder,  where  I  was  kindly  taken  care  of. 
When  I  got  here,  my  mind  was  much  depressed,  and  in  this 
situation  I  thought  it  not  safe  to  move,  and  lay  by  the  most  of 
two  days.  I  came  here  with  an  expectation  to  attend  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  soon  to  be  held  on  Nantucket,  but  when 
the  packet  came  in  sight  that  was  to  carry  Friends,  the  cloud 
passed  off  my  mind,  and  I  was  shown  in  the  clear  light  of  the 
Lord,  that  the  resigned  will  was  taken  for  the  deed,  and  I  was 
at  liberty  to  turn  my  course  towards  Portland — a  joyful  re- 
lease this  was  to  me.  I  made  ready,  and  in  a  short  time  was 
on  my  way  with  John  Winslow  for  company.  On  our  way, 
we  attended  Seabrook  mid-week  meeting,  and  not  feeling  clear, 
another  was  appointed  next  day.  A  number  of  members  came 
to  it,  who  seldom  attended  meetings  in  the  middle  of  the  week, 
and  way  opened  to  address  that  class  in  a  weighty,  feeling 
manner,  in  the  authority  of  Truth,  which  rose  into  dominion 
at  that  time.  We  were  next  at  Almsbury ;  the  meeting  was 
small ;  there  were  a  few  plain,  aged  Friends,  who  were  con- 
cerned to  keep  up  their  meeting^.     The  testimony  of  Truth 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  125 

lay  low  amongst  them.  I  returned  to  Seabrook,  and  attended 
their  meeting  on  first  day,  where  my  mind  was  much  enlarged 
in  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  and  it  went  forth  clear.  There 
being  a  number  present  who  were  looking  towards  Friends^  it 
was  a  satisfactory  meeting,  and  fully  relieving  to  my  mind. 
We  passed  on  to  Epping,  and  found  when  we  came  there,  that 
the  Friend  who  undertook  to  notify  for  the  meeting,  had  not 
been  faithful.  Of  course,  the  meeting  was  small,  and  not  feel- 
ing easy,  I  appointed  another  the  next  day,  which  was  large 
and  favored.  Thence  to  Lee,  a  small  meeting,  and  I  thought 
it  poorly  attended  in  the  middle  of  the  week.  I  was  led  to 
treat  the  subject  with  plainness,  and  to  remind  Friends  of  the 
sufferings  of  our  fore-fathers  for  that  testimony ;  and  that  by 
their  faithfulness,  they  purchased  the  liberties  we  enjoy ;  and 
how  lightly  they  are  thought  of  as  appears  by  neglect  in  the 
attendance  of  our  meetings.  Next  we  went  to  Dover,  and  from 
impressions  that  I  felt  in  attending  their  mid-week  meeting, 
which  was  small,  I  believed  many  of  their  members  were  not 
there.  I  felt  most  easy  to  call  a  meeting  the  next  day,  when 
they  generally  came.  I  had  to  speak  at  large  on  the  subject  of 
Friends'  neglect  of  duty  in  the  attendance  of  meetings ;  bring- 
ing to  mind  the  testimony  we  •profess  to  bear,  the  integrity  of 
our  first  worthies,  and  our  reaping  the  harvest  of  their 
faithfulness,  showing  the  responsibility  that  rested  on  us,  to 
support  the  noble  testimony.  I  was  mercifully  helped  to  lay 
these  truths  so  close  and  tender,  that  they  seemed  to  settle 
home  on  the  meeting  at  that  time.  May  the  Lord  cause  it  to 
be  as  the  nail  in  a  sure  place. 

The  following  meeting  was  at  William  Brown's.  It  was 
la'rge,  and  favored  with  the  presence  of  the  .Holy  Shepherd  of 
Israel.  We  attended  meeting  on  first  day  following,  at  Ber- 
wick, which  was  a  trying  one  to  my  feelings,  for  it  appeared 
clear  to  me,  that  the  form  of  godliness  was  much  more  affected 
in  some  of  the  leaders  of  the  people,  than  they  were  concerned 
for  the  life  of  it ;  and  by  these  the  power  of  God  was  rejected 
in  themselves,  and  by  them  opposed  in  others,  who  were  wil- 


126  JOURNAL    OF 

ling  to  obey  the  Truth.  The  effect  was  great  spiritual  desola- 
tion, heart-broiling  and  contention  amongst  the  old,  while  the 
dear  youth  were  left  exposed  to  the  ghtter  of  the  world,  too 
much  unassisted,  but  rather  staggered.  My  feelings  were 
aroused ;  I  had  to  put  on  my  armor,  and  go  into  the  field  with 
the  drawn  sword  of  the  Spirit,  and  to  wield  it  under  my  Mas- 
ter's banner,  until  His  mighty  power  rose  into  dominion,  and 
the  battle  was  turned  to  the  gate  for  the  day.  Blessed  be  His 
ever  Holy  name  !  I  felt  great  peace,  and  full  relief  after  this 
meeting. 

On  second  day  morning,  the  12th  of  '7th  month,  I  set  out 
for  Portland  with  my  agreeable  Friend,  Peter  Morrell,  for  my 
companion.  13th,  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  town — a  large, 
mixed  multitude,  but  in  the  main,  a  favored  meeting ;  but  I 
hurt  myself  in  speaking  too  fast,  and  I  thint  it  hurt  the  force 
of  my  testimony ;  yet  through  the  unmerited  mercies  of  the 
Most  High,  the  meeting  ended  quiet,  and  the  people  appeared 
to  feel  serious.  From  here  we  went  to  Falmouth,  and  attended 
their  Preparative  Meeting — shut  up  in  silence.  At  Windham, 
the  day  following,  and  silent  there  also.  We  left  an  appoint- 
ment for  seventh  day,  hoping  way  might  open  to  get  some  re- 
lief, as  my  mind  seemed  loaded,  and  my  heart  greatly  distressed. 
There  was  also  a  meeting  appointed  at  Gorham  on  6th  day ; 
we  attended  to  the  appointment — still  my  mouth  was  sealed, 
and  the  people  appeared  much  disappointed. 

We  returned  to  Windham,  where  the  meeting  was  large. 
Here  again  my  lips  were  sealed,  and  my  heart  shut  up.  I 
passed  the  meeting  in  silence,  but  not  without  deep  searching 
of  heart,  questioning  the  rectitude  of  my  movements ;  for  the 
people  were  not  only  disappointed,  but  some  of  them  dissatis- 
fied, and  thought  themselves  not  well  used.  This,  in  addition 
to  my  burden,  gave  no  relief,  so  that  I  wist  not  what  to  do  or 
what  to  think,  until  my  Lord  and  Master  gave  me  clearly  to 
see  that  the  appointments  were  not  wrong  ;  and  it  was  right 
for  me  to  go,  in  resignation  to  His  will,  and  better  for  me  and 
the  people,   to  be  a  sign  to  them,  in  the  will  and  wisdom 


JOSEPH   HOAG. 


127 


of  the  Lord,  than  to  speak  out  of  it ;  that  it  was  right  for  me, 
when  the  Lord  directed,  to  go  from  meeting  to  meeting,  and 
see  and  feel  the  states  of  meetings  and  the  people,  in  silence, 
as  it  was  for  Nehemiah  to  view  Jerusalem  throughout,  before 
he  put  his  hand  to  the  work.  This  opening  fully  relieved  my 
mind ;  I  said,  "  Good  is  the  will  of  the  Lord,  and  let  it  be 
done." 

The  next  day  and  first  of  the  week,  we  attended  Falmouth 
meeting.  In  it,  I  had  to  lift  up  my  voice  like  a  trumpet,  to 
show  many  their  transgressions,  and  the  high,  superficial  pro- 
fessors their  sins.  The  word  went  forth  in  its  own  authority  ; 
the  Truth  prevailed  over  all  opposition,  and  the  meeting  be- 
came solemn.     Magnified  be  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

In  the  afternoon  we  attended  Portland  meeting,  which  was 
large,  and  favored  with  renewed  visitation.  Second  day  we 
had  a  meeting  at  a  place  called  Little  Falls,  and  found  a  people 
who  professed  to  be  Friends ;  but  being  wanting  in  the  pos- 
session, it  was  hard  getting  along  with  them  to  satisfaction. 
We  returned  to  Portland,  and  the  day  following  attended  their 
Monthly  Meeting  at  Falmouth.  I  was  silent  in  the  meeting  for 
worship ;  in  that  for  discipline,  I  had  satisfactory  service  on 
the  women's  side,  and  made  some  remarks  to  the  young  menf 
which  gave  relief  to  ray  mind. 

The  22d  we  went  to  Durham,  and  attended  their  Monthly 
Meeting  the  next  day  in  suff"ering  silence,  for  things  were  not 
in  good  order  amongst  them.  In  the  last  meeting,  way  opened 
to  clear  my  mind  in  a  plain  way,  but  not  very  pleasing  to  all 
of  them ;  yet  the  faithful  being  encourged  and  rejoiced,  I  got 
my  penny  of  peace,  and  that  satisfied  me.  The  next  meeting 
was  at  Lewistown,  on  7th  day.  First  day  we  were  at  Leeds, 
the  meeting  was  large  and  satisfactory.  After  meeting  we  rode 
to  Winthrop ;  here  we  found  a  little  company  of  goodly 
Friends,  amongst  rigid  Presbyterians.  We  had  a  large,  favored 
meeting  here,  to  the  rejoicing  of  the  few,  in  that  the  Truth 
made  its  way  over  all  opposition.  After  this  we  went  down 
the  Kennebeck  river  to  Dresden,  and  had  a  little  raeetmg  at 


128  JOURNAL    OF 

George  Ramsdell's.  29th,  rode  to  Bristol  and  had  a  meeting 
there  on  6th  day,  mostly  of  other  societies.  Here  ray  mind 
was  set  at  liberty ;  the  truth  flowed  freely,  and  settled  on  the 
minds  of  the  people.  May  it  last  long  to  their  comfort  and 
durable  good.     Ob,  good  is  the  Lord  to  the  children  of  men. 

On  first  day,  the  1st  of  8th  month,  we  were  at  Camm ;  had 
a  considerable  gathering  of  people  too  much  at  ease,  and  insen- 
sensible  of  their  condition,  taken  up  with  the  cares  of  the  world ; 
the  few  well  concerned  had  about  enough  to  do,  to  keep  their 
ground  ;  so  thatpainful  were  myfeelings  and  laborious  my  services 
among  them ;  but  through  the  mercies  of  Jehovah,  ability  was 
given  to  relieve  my  mind  and  pass  from  them  in  peace.  Sec- 
ond day  we  rode  to  Kennebeck,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on 
third  day,  with  a  number  of  sober  looking  people.  I  was  fa- 
vored with  a  short,  penetrating  testimony,  that  seemed  to  reach 
the  minds  of  the  people,  and  gather  them  into  seriousness  of 
spirit.  The  meeting  ended  to  my  satisfaction.  Blessed  be  the 
Most  High. 

On  the  5th  of  the  month  we  were  at  Vassalborough  East 
Pond  meeting ;  after  sitting  awhile  leaning  forward,  suddenly 
I  felt  my  mind  in  a  state  of  stupor,  almost  to  insensibility.  I 
raised  up,  and  looked  over  the  meeting,  and  to  my  surprise,  I 
really  thought  that  one  quarter  of  the  people  were  nodding 
with  sleep  ;  as  one  waked  up,  another  would  fall  asleep  ;  the 
like  I  never  saw  before.  At  least  one  half  of  the  meeting  had 
taken  a  sound  sleep.  This  discomposed  me  for  preaching,  and 
after  sitting  a  long  meeting,  I  arose  with  this  remark,  "  I  con- 
clude there  are  many  who  have  come  to  meeting,  expecting  to 
hear  a  communicetion,  but  I  think  I  should  look  like  a  fool, 
preaching  to  a  parcel  of  people  asleep,  and  I  am  sure  I  should 
feel  like  one."  I  then  sat  down  and  closed  the  meeting.  Ben- 
jamin Worth,  of  that  place,  an  aged  minister,  took  me  by  the 
hand  with  these  words,  "  Joseph,  I  am  glad  thou  hast  been 
favored  to  keep  thy  place  to  day."  From  this  we  went  to  Fair- 
field, and  had  a  meeting,  and  returned  to  East  Pond,  to  attend 
a  meeting  by  appointment  on  fiii'st  day  afternoon ;  many  cauie 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  129 

to  it ;  the  life  of  pure  religion  appeared  very  low ;  the  Master 
of  Israel's  assemblies  was  pleased  to  favor  the  people  with  a 
plentifiil  shower  of  Gospel  rain,  that  seemed  to  tender  the 
earthly  part,  and  somewhat  broke  it  up ;  may  it  prove  to  the 
lasting  good  of  the  people,  and  to  the  everlasting  praise  of  the 
Most  High,  for  He  is  worthy  of  it.  On  second  day  we  were  at 
Belgrade,  and  third  day  at  Sidney.  In  both  these  meetings, 
the  overspreading  of  Divine  favor  was  felt  in  a  renewed  visita- 
tion to  the  people — may  it  prove  a  blessing  to  them,  to  the 
gathering  to  Shiloh's  rest. 

Feeling  now  clear  of  these  parts  we  returned  to  Portland  and 
went  to  Samuel  Hussey's,  where  I  made  my  home,  and  was  ta- 
ken as  good  care  of  as  I  could  desire.  Soon  after  coming 
there  I  was  taken  sick,  so  that  I  could  not  travel  for  some  time  ; 
but  most  of  the  time  was  able  to  sit  a  meeting.  My  compan- 
ion returned  home  ;  we  parted  in  mutual  friendship.  I  attend- 
ed meetings  steadily  and  passed  four  or  five  of  them  in  silence, 
under  great  depression  of  spirit,  until  the  last  meeting  I  was  at, 
where  all  present  were  members  except  one.  The  Lord  show- 
ed me  that  the  cause  of  the  distress  I  felt  in  their  meetings,  was, 
some  of  the  heads  of  the  people  had  drawn  their  swords  on 
their  fellows,  who  were  better  than  themselves ;  that  they  had 
disordered  the  flock,  and  confused  the  heritage  of  God,  and  if 
there  was  not  a  stopping,  turning  about,  and  withdrawing  the 
hand  from  oppressing  the  innocent,  the  Lord  would  arise  and 
make  bare  His  arm.  He  would  turn  and  overturn;  there 
should  be  a  cutting  off  to  rise  no  more ;  for  the  Lord  would 
arise  and  support  His  depeifdent  ones.  I  had  to  deliver  it  all 
in  full  plain  terms ;  felt  my  mind  fully  relieved,  and  at  liberty 
to  depart.  In  about  half  an  hour  after  the  close  of  the  meet- 
ing, I  mounted  my  horse  and  rode  several  miles  without  look- 
ing back,  or  conversing  with  any,  with  my  mind  filled  with 
peace  and  joy.  I  went  to  Falmouth  Select  Preparative  Meet- 
ing, and  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting  following.  In  the 
meeting  for  worship  I  was  silent,  and  in  that  for  business  until 
near  the  close,  I  was  constrained  to  stand  up  and  tell  them 


130  JOURNAL   OF 

plainly  how  it  appeared  to  me  some  of  them  had  treated  their 
friends ;  that  the  Lord  was  not  pleased  with  it,  and  in  all  their 
affected  zeal  and  show,  the  Truth  had  not  been  advanced,  but 
hurt,  and  the  feelings  of  the  pure  in  heart  wounded.  This  ap- 
peared to  offend  several,  notwithstanding  it  was  acknowledged 
by  Friends  that  it  was  so,  and  they  all  knew  it.  In  this  meet- 
ing it  was  shown  me  in  clearness  that  I  was  at  liberty  to  take 
my  leave  for  home,  with  taking  two  meetings  on  my  way — a 
joyful  prospect.  I  informed  my  friends,  and  took  a  solemn 
farewell.  On  the  26th  of  the  8th  month,  in  a  feeble  state  of 
health,  I  rode  to  Livingston,  twenty  miles.  27th  had  a  favored 
meeting  there  which  seemed  to  revive  my  spirits  a  little.  The 
28th  I  rode  to  Sandwich,  New  Hampshire,  and  attended  their 
first-day  meeting  on  the  29th,  in  which  my  mind  was  tried  in 
a  singular  way  for  me,  for  after  sitting  a  considerable  time,  it 
was  made  known  to  me  that  the  people  were  waiting  on  me, 
and  not  on  the  Most  High  ;  looking  to  me  and  not  to  the  Lord, 
which  would  close  my  way  and  I  must  tell  it  to  the  people.  The 
singularity  of  it  tried  my  mind,  but  not  feeling  easy  without  do- 
ing it,  I  gave  up,  simply  told  them  my  feelingsjand  sat  down  ; 
but  soon  felt  like  a  vessel  pressed  full,  which  wanted  vent,  and 
could  not  have  it.  In  this  suffering  condition  I  had  to  sit  as 
long  as  meetings  commonly  hold,  until  the  people  gave  up  their 
expectation  of  hearing  preaching,  and  became  quiet ;  then  my 
way  opened  in  a  lengthy,  searching  testimony,  that  reached  the 
witness  for  God  in  their  minds,  and  broke  them  down  to  a  ten- 
der feeling,  and  an  acknowledgment  of  the  truth.  Oh !  may  the 
Lord  fasten  the  Truth  in  their  hearts,  as  a  nail  in  a  sure  place, 
and  bless  the  service  of  the  day  to  the  people. 

The  30th  of  the  8th  month  I  started  for  home,  reaching 
there  in  three  days,  found  my  family  well,  and  we  were  mutu- 
ally glad  to  see  each  other  once  more. 

The  following  occurrences  took  place  during  the  foregoing 
journey  : 

Abigail and  her  husband,  with  their  adherents,  (the 

woman  who  attacked  me  in  the  gallery,  in  my  early  travel  in 


JOSEPH  noAG.  181 

that  part  of  the  country,)  entered  a  complaint  against  me  for 
preaching  false  doctrine,  and  prophesying  their  downfall.  This 
was  when  I  was  on  my  way  for  Portland  the  last  time.  The 
Elders  came  apparently  strong.  I  told  them  "It  was  happy  for 
me  that  I  remembered  the  subject  well,  and  I  thought  I  could 
repeat  the  discourse  nearly  verbatim,  for  it  was  a  short  one.'^ 
I  informed  them  of  the  subject,  showed  in  what  point  of  view 
I  held  it  forth,  and  the  language  I  closed  with,  and  added  this 
remark,  "Who  of  you  can  say  this  is  not  truth  ?"  They  sat 
awhile,  and  the  leading  Elder  said,  "Joseph,  I  am  glad  to  find 
thee  on  such  good  ground ;  it  is  good  sound  doctrine  ;  I  will 
not  only  acquit  thee,  but  I  will  stand  by  thee.  Do  thee  keep 
that  ground,  and  thee  will  stand."     And  so  we  parted.     The 

above  named  Abigail and  her  husband  have  since  run 

into  Rauterism,  and  are  disowned  by  Friends. 

Shortly  after  this  I  stopped  at  Berwick  on  my  way  to  Port- 
land. After  meeting,  four  or  five  very  grave-faced  persons  came 
to  the  house  where  I  was,  and  with  much  affected  sanctity, 
questioned  me  as  to  how  I  felt  in  the  company  of  my  intended 
companion.  I  answered,  "Very  well ;  he  appears  an  agreeable 
man."  Question — "Dost  thou  feel  no  disagreeable  feelings 
when  in  his  company  ?"  I  answered,  "No,  not  at  all."  The 
reply  was,  "I  marvel  that  such  a  great  seer  as  thou  art,  can  be 
with  such  a  man  and  not  feel  him  out.  I  answered,  "Friends, 
I  have  no  unity  with  your  conduct ;  neither  do  I  think  you  are 
sound ;  for  was  I  such  an  one  as  you  state,  it  is  neither  right 
nor  wise  to  talk  so  in  my  hearing ;  it  has  the  appearance  of 
flattery.  And  that  is  not  all,  I  am  but  a  man,  and  can  only  see 
the  state  of  a  meeting  or  an  individual  when  my  master  gives 
me  eyesight.  So  that  it  is  not  me  but  my  master  ;  these  things 
are  at  his  disposal,  and  you  ought  to  understand  them,  to  be 
fit  for  judges.  The  reply  was,  "Well,  we  hope  if  thou  does 
feel  anything,  thou  wilt  be  faithful."  I  answered,  "If  I  should 
feel  anything  I  should  strongly  suspect  it  arose  from  what  I 
have  heard,  and  should  be  very  cautious  how  I  meddled.  You 
have  blocked  up  my  way,  and  if  there  is  anything  needed  to 


132  JOURNAL    OF 

be  done,  yoic  have  s^ot  to  do  it.  You  ought  never  to  treat  any- 
one as  you  have  treated  me,  for  if  there  was  anything  in  the 
way,  you  ought  to  have  told  him,  he  could  not  go  without  do- 
ing his  part  to  remove  the  objection ;  and  if  he  did  not  do  it, 
to  have  provided  me  with  other  company,  and  not  let  me  know 
anything  of  the  matter.  You  have  had  time  enough,  for  some 
of  you  were  sitting  by  when  he  offered  his  service,  and  I  ac- 
cepted it.  Some  might  be  hurt  by  such  treatment,  and  get  off 
the  right  ground  ;  so  that  it  is  clear  to  me  you  are  wanting  in 
best  wisdom.  Have  you  told  the  Friend  of  this  objection  ?" 
The  answer  was,  "No."  Question — "Did  you  know  of  it  as 
long  ago  as  when  he  offered  his  service?  The  answer  was, 
"Yes."  Question — "Why  have  you  lain  still  ?"  The  answer 
was,  "We  feel  very  weak,  and  were  in  hopes  thee  would  feel 
him  out."  I  answered,  "Friends,  you  are  wrong;  for  the  Great 
Master  portioneth  the  work  to  every  servant,  and  hand-maid, 
and  gives  them  knowledge  what  his  will  is,  and  ability  to  do  it. 
It  is  not  reasonable  to  believe  He  will  lay  all  the  service  on  one 
servant ;  for  without  His  help  they  are  no  more  than  other 
men.  And  now,  Friends,  for  you  to  want  more  laid  on  me  than 
the  Master  has  appointed,  is  not  right;  it  is  an  evil  covetous- 
ness,  and  your  prayers  are  not  granted,  for  I  feel  as  though  I 
had  no  business  with  the  concern  you  want  me  to  meddle 
with ;  and  you  have  got  to  clear  my  way."  At  this  they  seem- 
ed like  people  amazed.  I  then  said,  "Friends,  you  have  said 
so  much  that  I  must  know  there  is  something  the  matter,  and 
have  you  looked  into  the  affair,  so  as  to  know  whether  there  is 
a  just  cause  for  uneasiness  or  not  ?  The  answer  was,  "No."  I 
then  replied,  "How  do  you  know  there  is  any  just  cause  of 
complaint ;  and  if  not,  what  ground  is  there  for  me  to  have  any 
uneasy  feelings  with  the  Friend  ?  Now,  Friends,  I  want  you  to 
see  where  you  are.  This  Friend  is  in  the  station  of  an  elder, 
and  so  are  several  of  you ;  and  you  are  here  holding  up  ideas 
of  reproach  against  his  character,  and  do  not  know  whether 
there  is  any  cause  for  it  or  not ;  and  that  to  a  stranger  who 
ought  never  to  hear  of  it.     It  is  evident  you  are  very  unsound 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  133 

or  very  unfaithful  to  the  righteous  cause,  and  your  brother,  or 
both.  I  have  no  favorable  opinion  of  such  conduct ;  I  have  no 
unity  with  it." 

Here  again  was  a  silence  ;  at  length  it  was  proposed  for  me 
to  lay  by  a  day  or  two,  for  them  to  look  up  company  for  me. 
I  then  told  them  I  had  been  gone  from  home,  going  on  two 
years.  I  left  a  wife  in  small  circumstances,  with  a  large  family 
of  children,  in  a  poor  log  house,  and  that  I  did  not  feel  easy  to 
idle  away  one  minute  ;  therefore,  if  they  would  provide  me  a 
pilot,  if  it  was  only  a  youngster,  who  knew  the  way  to  Portland, 
I  would  take  up  with  it,  but  they  must  let  the  Friend  know 
why  he  was  rejected.  They  answered,  we  expect  thee  to  do 
that.  I  told  them,  that  I  would  not  do,  unless  I  had  the  lib- 
erty to  make  use  of  their  names  as  the  objectors,  and  to  do  it 
by  their  request,  for  in  my  feelings  I  had  no  objection.  I  then 
pressed  them  to  go  and  see  the  Friend,  as  he  was  near  by,  but 
could  not  move  them  thereto.  It  was  then  proposed  for  me  to 
go  with  him  to  Portland,  and  then  dismiss  him  and  send  him 
home,  and  was  asked  if  I  would  do  it.  I  said,  by  your  orders, 
and  not  without.  I  was  answered,  that  would  not  do,  for  he 
would  then  take  them  in  the  discipline ;  but  they  thought  I 
might  tell  him  I  was  not  easy  to  travel  with  him,  for  they  did 
not  see  how  I  could  feel  easy  knowing  how  they  felt.  I  told 
them  that  part  of  their  uneasiness,  as  respected  themselves,  I 
could  tell  him,  but  as  to  make  any  pretentions  of  uneasy  feel- 
ings as  my  own,  when  it  is  not  so,  only  to  gratify  your  feelings, 
when  you  do  not  know  whether  there  is  any  just  cause  for 
those  feelings  or  not,  that  would  be  playing  the  hypocrite  ; 
that  I  should  not  do  for  any  of  you.  I  shall  act  candid,  open 
and  honorable  with  all  men  ;  my  station  calls  for  this,  and  as 
for  making  any  pretentions  of  Divine  impressions  or  revelations, 
when  I  did  not  feel  it,  it  was  in  my  opinon  very  near  blasphe- 
my ;  that,  while  I  had  my  senses,  I  should  never  do ;  and  as  for 
their  exposing  themselves  to  the  discipline,  they  had  already 
done  it,  was  I  to  tell  what  they  had  said,  and  they  had  no 
way  to  get  out  unless  they  denied  their  own  talk ;  but  that  I 


134  JOURNAL    OP 

was  not  disposed  to  do  if  tliey  would  treat  the  matter  honor- 
ably with  the  Friend  according  to  gospel  order  and  provide  me 
with  company,  I  would  go  along  quietly.  They  then  concluded 
to  go  and  see  the  Friend ;  but  shortly  returned  and  told  me 
they  did  not  see  that  they  could  attend  to  it,  and  had  concluded 
to  let  the  Friend  go  with  me,  but  hoped  I  wonld  see  my  way 
clear  to  dismiss  him,  after  I  got  amongst  Friends  again.  I  then 
took  up  the  subject.  "  Friends,  you  seem  determined  to  place 
me  in  a  situation  that  you  can  criminate  me  or  make  me  hurt 
myself;  for  look  at  it,  for  to  send  the  Friend  back,  without 
good  reasons — he  comes  back,  he  has  his  friends,  and  perhaps 
many  of  them ;  he  is  a  man  of  sense,  and  knows  what  good 
usage  is ;  his  friends  ask  him  why  he  returns  so  soon ;  lie  an- 
swers, Joseph  Hoag  sent  me  home.  Where  from  ?  As  soon 
as  I  got  to  Portland.  For  what?  I  do  not  know;  I  went 
with  him  for  the  respect  I  had  for  him,  and  waited  on  him  as 
well  as  I  knew  bow,  and  did  all  I  could  to  make  him  comforta- 
ble. When  I  got  there  he  told  me  to  go  home,  without  a  rea- 
son, only  he  was  not  free  to  travel  with  me.  He  tells  this  to 
his  good  friends,  and  perhaps  these  are  one-half  of  your  Month- 
ly Meeting.  What  would  be  the  remark?  Why,  I  did  not 
take  Joseph  Hoag  to  be  such  a  man.  He  answers,  neither  did 
I ;  but  so  it  is.  Now  see  what  a  block  this  would  put  in  their 
minds,  should  I  have  a  mind  to  come  into  this  country  again. 
What  good  would  it  do  for  me  to  preach  to  them  ?  I  might 
as  well  preach  to  the  stumps.  What  excuse  could  I  plead  ? 
Could  I  say  it  was  acting  the  Christian — doing  as  I  would  be 
done  by  ?  No  !  and  you  would  not,  neither,  was  you  in  his 
place.  Is  it  acting  the  gentleman?  No  !  Is  it  acting  the 
brother  ?  No !  Friends,  this  will  not  do.  Now  take  it  on 
the  other  hand ;  suppose  it  to  be  as  you  have  stated,  in  the 
minds  of  many  others,  that  I  am  a  favored  man,  and  a  seer, 
and  after  I  am  gone  there  does  actually  come  to  light  some 
conduct  of  his  that  is  scandalous,  what  would  be  the  language 
of  these  people  ?  Would  it  not  be  like  this,  how  could  that 
good  man  and  great  seer  go  off"  with  that  monstrous  h^^ocrite 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  135 

and  he  have  no  sense  of  it  ?  Here  you  may  see  they  are  stag- 
gered and  blocked  up.  Would  not  the  result  be,  O,  I  do  not 
believe  there  is  ;^so  much  in  religion  as  they  tell  of,  and  so  the 
good  is  destroyed  that  they  might  have  been  benefitted  by. 

This  brought  tears  into  some  of  their  eyes,  and  they  faithful- 
ly promised  me  that  if  any  of  these  occurrences  take  place  that 
they  would  inform  the  people  I  had  been  long  from  home,  and 
was  in  haste  to  get  along ;  there  was  no  other  to  go,  and 
it  was  a  matter  of  necessity,  and  that  my  credit  should  not  be 
hurt,  and  were  willing  the  Friend  should  go  with  me  ;  and 
they  hoped  he  would  not  be  burdensome,  and  so  we  parted. 

The  Friend  went,  I  found  him  pleasant,  agreeable,  kind  com- 
pany as  my  heart  could  desire.  I  never  so  much  as  hinted  a 
word  of  this  to  him,  but  when  we  parted  I  looked  him  in  the 
face  and  said,  Peter,  I  want  thee  to  keep  thy  eyes  in  thy  own 
head,  and  take  care  how  thee  steps.  He  answered,  I  under- 
stand thee,  and  so  we  parted.  He  went  home  and  found  what 
a  report  had  gone  abroad,  and  by  whom.  He  took  it  up  and 
made  some  of  these  very  Friends  go  about  the  neighborhood 
and  take  back  their  own  talk,  and  testify  the  report  was  false. 
That  stilled  and  ended  the  uproar. 

Another  that  ITiave  to  record  is,  as  I  was  passing  through 
that  Yearly  Meeting,  I  often  heard spo- 
ken of  as  the  greatest  minister  in  the  Yearly  Meeting —  a 
man  of  great  talents,  and  a  fine  man,  which  made  me  crave  to 
get  to  his  house  as  soon  as  I  could.  But  alas !  when  I  got 
there  I  was  plunged  into  such  distress  and  darkness  as  I  am 
not  able  to  describe.  I  knew  not  what  to  think  of  myself,  for  I 
durst  not  think  anything  but  good  concerning  him.  When  I 
went  to  his  meeting  the  next  day,  it  was  hard  enough,  and 
seemed  all  dark ;  this  puzzled  me  much.  He  offered  to  pilot 
us  to  several  meetings,  which  I  readily  accepted,  thinking  I 
should  have  some  good  help.  He  preached  at  every  meeting, 
but  alas,  I  got  no  help,  neither  could  I  find  where  his  preach- 
ing came  from.  I  durst  not  think  otherwise  than  that  it  was 
all  good,  and  the  fault  was  all  in  me,  until  I  got  so  that  I  could 


136  JOURNAL    OP 

hardly  contain  myself,  my  agony  was  so  great.  I  went  alone, 
and  exclaimed  in  my  heart,  "  Lord,  have  mercy,  what  have  I 
done  ? "  And  I  was  answered  in  as  intelligible  language  as  ever 
I  heard  vocally  with  my  natural  ear,  "  it  is  nothing  thou  hast 

done ;  it  is  on  account  of that  thy  feelings  are  as  they 

are,  and  thou  hast  got  a  close  message  to  deliver  to  him  for 
Me  ;  see  that  thou  do  it  faithfully."  This  brought  me  very 
low ;  it  looked  great,  he  being  in  high  standing,  and  looked 
upon  as  a  great  man,  but  I  durst  not  think  of  giving  back ;  the 
Lord  had  shown  me  what  the  message  was,  and  I  was  afraid. 
I  prayed  the  Lord  to  make  and  open  a  way,  and  give  strength 

to  do  my  duty.     I  think  it  was  the  next  day entered 

into  a  long  detail  of  the  distressing  days  and  nights  he  had 
passed  through  of  late,  so  that  he  had  almost  despaired.  After 
getting  through  he  turned  to  me  and  said,  "  Joseph,  what  dost 
thou  think  of  me  ? "  I  replied,  "  at  a  suitable  time  I  am 
willing  to  tell  thee."  We  rode  on  until  we  came  to  a  Friend's 
house.  I  soon  gave  a  motion ;  we  walked  into  a  field  and  sat 
down.  I  soon  began  with  these  words,  " I  have  un- 
dergone much  exercise  on  thy  account,  and  I  believe  it  has 
been  given  to  me  to  see  in  that  light,  in  which  there  is  no  de- 
ception, how  it  is  with  thee.  It  appears  to'me  thou  hast  been 
one  that  has  been  annointed  with  the  royal  oil,  and  has  had  an 
excellent  gift  in  the  ministry  bestowed  on  thee,  and  has  been 
promoted  to  ride  the  King's  horse,  and  to  be  arrayed  with  the 
royal  robe.  The  proclamation  went  forth,  this  shall  be  done 
to  the  man  whom  the  King  dehghteth  to  honor.  But  when 
thou  rode  the  King's  horse,  thou  forgot  to  remember  mercy. 
Thou  hast  put  thy  foot  on  the  necks  of  those  that  were  as  right- 
eous as  thou  ever  wast,  and  hast  trodden  them  down.  And 
thou  may  think  it  a  favor,  if  thou  art  permitted  to  undergo 
enough  to  atone  for  the  evil  thou  hast  done  to  them  that  are 
as  good  as  thyself.  And  if  thou  live  through  it,  thou  hast  got 
to  go  over  all  the  country,  where  thou  hast  put  on  these  yokes 
and  burdens,  and  take  them  all  off.  And  if  thou  refuse  to  do  this 
thou  will  be  left  to  fall  to  the  bottom  of  the  hill  and  shall  never 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  137 

rise  any  more."  He  seemed  to  struggle  under  it  a  little  while, 
^then  looked  up  and  said,  "  thou  art  a  stranger  and  I  will  not 
jet  angry  with  thee,"  arose,  turned  his  back  on  me  and  walked 
to  the  house.  In  a  short  time  we  parted.  I  named  one  of  the 
Friends  he  had  trodden  down  ;  the  blood  flashed  in  his  face.  I 

said  in  my  heart,  poor  — —  is  gone,  for  warning  he  will  not 

take.  And  it  proved  so.  I  have  not  seen  him  since  to  speak 
with  him.  Afterwards  he  took  to  ardent  spirits,  and  in  a  very 
few  years  got  so  as  to  give  way  to  immoral  conduct,  and  used  pro- 
fane language,  for  which  he  was  taken  up  and  was  turned  out  of  the 
Select  Meeting,  and  his  ministry  disowned  ;  but  he  begged  so 
hard  that  after  awhile  Friends  accepted  an  acknowledgement, 
and  let  him  stand  a  member,  and  there  he  stands,  his  credit 
and  influence  lost,  and  is  at  the  bottom  of  the  hill. 

I  have  written  these  accounts,  my  children,  for  you  to  look 
at,  believing  the  circumstances  are  such  that  if  you  will  read 
candid,  and  think  on  them  seriously,  they  will  afibrd  usefiil  and 
corufortable  instruction  several  ways,  through  life,  and  to  your 
children  after  you. 

Here  I  oMse  my  account  of  this  long  journey  in  which  I  had 
to  pass  through  many  deep  tribulations,  and  witnessed  the 
Lord  to  be  my  helper  in  every  needful  time,  and  in  the  might 
of  His  streng-th  I  was  enabled  to  run  through  the  troops  that  I 
met  with,  and  to  leap  the  walls  of  opposition  that  were  raised  in 
my  way.  Glory,  honor  and  everlasting  praise,  be  ascribed  to 
the  Holy  name  of  the  great  King  of  Heaven,  for  all  His  mer- 
cies that  endure  forever. 

I  think  best  to  relate  two  occurrences  that  took  place  while 
I  was  at  Nova  Scotia.  The  first  was  in  a  short  time  after  I  left 
Halifax.  There  came  a  message  to  me  to  know  if  five  hundred, 
pounds  Halifax  money,  a  good  sized  house,  well  furnished,  a 
cow,  kept  the  year  round,  and  brought  to  my  door  to  be 
milked,  and  a '  horse  and  chaise  the  year  round,  at  my  com- 
mand, with  all  my  wood  cut  at  the  door,  and  at  the  close,  I 
was  earnestly  desired  to  let  them  know  if  the  salary  was 
enough  to  make  me  satisfied  to  come  and  settle  with  them. 
9 


138  JOURNAL    0¥ 

This  brought  a  close  trial  over  my  mind ;  not  that  the  offer 
was  any  temptation  any  more  than  the  dust  I  trod  on,  but  how 
to  get  along  with  the  business,  and  not  hurt  the  people,  nor  the 
good  cause.  But,  beyond  my  expectation,  way  opened  to  give 
them  my  reasons  why  I  could  not  comply  with  their  desire,  in 
so  plain  a  way,  they  understood  me,  and  in  that  pleasant  way, 
that  they  took  no  offence,  and  we  parted  very  friendly. 

The  other  was  in  another  part  of  the  country.  They  offered 
me  a  farm  of  five  hundred  acres  of  land,  sixty  acres  under  good 
improvement,  with  a  good  house  and  barn  on  it,  for  one  hundred 
pounds,  and  they  would  fiirnish  it  with  five  cows  and  a  yoke  of 
oxen,  a  span  of  horses,  and  all  farming  utensils ;  and  all  these  I 
should  have  at  my  own  price,  and  from  seven  to  fifteen  years  to 
pay  it  in,  and  without  interest.  And  they  thought  I  might  ac- 
cept this  offer,  for  it  would  not  be  taking  a  reward  for  preaching, 
but  only  accepting  a  chance  that  would  put  me  in  a  situation 
that  I  could  attend  to  my  duty  without  being  embarrassed,  or  my 
family  suffering  want.  This,  I  had  much  more  of  a  task  to  open 
in  all  its  bearings,  so  that  they  could  clearly  understand  me,  and 
to  show  them  in  what  point  of  view  I  stood,  and  the  difference 
between  their  views  and  mine ;  and  when  they  understood, 
they  acknowledged  that  I  could  not  accept  it,  and  they  be- 
lieved I  was  sincere,  and  they  must  give  it  up  ;  but  they  were 
sorry.  So  we  parted  very  friendly  and  loving,  which  I  thought 
a  great  favor. 


CHAPTER  V. 

I  now  return  to  the  time  of  my  setting  out  on  my  joumo}  to 
New  England  and  the  British  Provinces  in  1801,  at  which 
time  we  had  two  candid,  faithful  overseers,  their  standing  faith- 
ful with  a  few  other  Friends,  for  the  support  of  order  and  dis- 
cipline, and  being  opposed  by  others  often  made  hard  getting 
along ;  the  latter,  who  complained  of  discipline  doing  hurt, 
would  oppose  in  nearly  every  case,  taking  up  or  calling  to  an 
account  any  of  our  members  for  evil  conduct.  One  of  these 
overseers  took  a  piece  of  work  to  do  for  two  men,  (zealous 
members  of  the  Methodist  Society),  to  the  amount  of  sixty 
dollars.  They  acknowledged  the  work  was  done  to  their  full 
satisfaction,  but  when  the  Friend  called  for  his  money  they  ut- 
terly refused  to  pay  him.  The  Friend  urged  his  claim,  upon 
which  they  went  to  the  Friends  who  opposed  discipline.  The 
latter  went  to  the  Friend,  (two  of  them  being  Elders  who  had 
been  brought  over  to  the  libeftine  sentiment),  and  ordered  him 
to  give  up  his  demand.  He  asked,  for  what  ?  They  said  the 
men  would  not  pay  it ;  and  if  he  contended  for  it,  it  would 
make  a  great  noise,  and  that  would  be  a  scandal  to  society.  He 
let  them  know  he  should  venture  that.  They  then  told  him  if 
he  did  not  comply  with  their  orders,  be  peaceable,  and  say  no 
more  about  it,  they  would  carry  a  complaint  against  him  for 
being  contentious,  and  refusing  the  advice  of  Friends ;  and  ac- 
cordingly did  so,  but  could  not  make  their  matters,  work,  till 
they  charged  the  Friend  with  disunity.  In  this  plausible  way 
they  got  him  and  his  associate  dismissed  from  being  overseers, 
and  had  twO  Appointed  of  their  own  choosing  who  presented  a 
complaint  that  was  never  supported,  and  got  it  into  the  meet- 


140  JOURNAL   OF 

ing,  and  a  committee  appointed.  By  this  time  the  Monthly 
Meeting  was  about  equally  divided  and  all  in  an  uproar.  The 
committee  was  as  equally  divided,  being  two  on  each  side,  and 
80  it  was  continued  until  my  return,  the  Friend  still  insisting 
on  having  a  hearing,  and  his  evidence  heard,  as  his  witnesses 
were  credible  persons,  stating  he  could  prove  the  charges  false. 

Two  of  the  committee  absolutely  insisted  that  there  should 
be  no  proof  heard,  neither  should  they  be  suffered  to  speak 
against  what  the  Elders  had  stated.  The  other  two  were  as 
absolute  on  the  other  side,  as  to  the  Friend  having  his  rights. 
But  in  order  to  carry  their  point,  they  got  a  Baptist  man  to 
take  up  the  business  as  his  own,  who  in  truth,  was  not  present, 
and  knew  nothing  of  the  bargain,  only  what  the  Methodists 
told  him,  and  then  brought  them  in  for  witnesses,  so  by  false 
witness  they  so  placed  the  business  that  the  Friend  could  not 
recover.  He  brought  forward  one  witness  who  stated  the  truth, 
and  told  Friends  and  others  concerned,  that  he  had  another 
which  he  should  produce  before  the  business  ended.  They 
wanted  to  know  who  that  witness  was,  but  the  Friend  would 
not  tell  them.  (I  being  the  other  witness  and  absent  from 
home  on  Truth's  service,  was  the  reason  of  his  declining  to  tell 
them  who  his  other  witness  was,  thinking  it  might  unprofitably 
embarrass  me  if  I  was  written  to  on  the  subject,  and  he  chose 
to  wait  for  my  return.) 

The  next  day,  I  think,  after  I  got  home,  one  of  the  Elders 
came  to  my  house  and  stated  to  me  that  the  Friend  was  a  won- 
derful liar,  and  it  was  proved  by  the  two  Methodists  he  had 
called  on  for  paymeiit,  but  the  Baptist  man  had  the  business, 
and  the  Friend  had  to  look  to  him  for  it.  I  asked  the  Elder 
how  he  knew  that  ?  He  said  it  was  all  proved  by  the  two 
Methodists.  I  asked  if  they  had  no  other  evidence  ?  He  an- 
swered, No.  I  asked  what  they  stated,  and  he  told  me.  I 
then  asked  what  the  Friend  stated ;  he  told  me.  I  asked  if 
the  Friend  had  no  evidence?  He  said,  yes,  one,  and  said  he 
had  another,  but  does  not  produce  him,  or  tell  who  he  is,  and 
by  such  kind  of  equivocation  and  lying,  he   deceives  many 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  141 

Friends,  and  we  cannot  disown  him.  I  am  glad  thon  hast  got 
home.  I  hope  thou  wilt  help  us.  By  this  time  I  felt  poorly. 
I  began  to  see  how  the  situation  of  affairs  stood.  I  then  looked 
on  the  Elder,  and  remarked,  that  the  Baptist  had  no  more 
business  with  it  than  he,  or  any  other  man ;  that  the  Friend 
had  stated  the  truth,  and  his  witness  had  stated  the  truth,  and 
that  those  men  had  falsely  sworn  money  into  their  own  pock- 
ets, for  they  were  the  men  who  employed  the  Friend,  and  the 
money  was  due  from  them ;  for  I  was  the  other  witness,  and 
there  were  no  others  by,  when  the  agreement  was  made,  but 
myself  and  the  other  witness,  excepting  the  parties.  The  El- 
der looked  at  me  with  a  stem  countenance,  and  with  a  strong 
voice,  said,  "  Joseph,  do  thou  never  tell  this  again,  for  thou 
art  now  in  unity  with  Friends,  and  if  thou  tell  this,  thou  wilt 
lose  thy  unity  with  Friends  and  never  travel  any  more."  I  re- 
plied, what  didst  thou  ever  see  in  me  to  make  thee  think  that 
the  fear  of  man  could  induce  me  to  withhold  the  truth  in  a 
case  of  suffering  innocence.  No,  Friend,  if  I  am  called  on  in 
this  case  I  shall  tell  the  truth  before  any  tribunal  At  this  an- 
swer he  seemed  offended  and  left  me ;  but  when  I  came  to  the 
Monthly  Meeting  I  found  it  in  such  a  state  as  I  never  saw  a 
meeting  in  before. 

When  this  subject  came  before  the  meeting,  I  requested  to 
have  it  lie  over  one  month,  that  I  might  have  an  opportunity 
to  see  the  committee,  and  those  who  had  acted  in  the  case,  to- 
gether with  the  Friend,  which  was  strongly  objected  to  by  the 
Elder,  and  several  others,  and  he,  in  a  taunting  manner  held 
up,  that  public  Friends  had  no  business  to  meddle  with  disci- 
pline, neither  with  contention  between  members  in*  any  case, 
and  gave  me  a  severe  reprunand.  This  grated  my  feelings,, 
and  I  returned  a  warm  reply,  which  silenced  him  and  his  abet- 
tors, but  this  did  not  do  the  meeting  or  me  any  good.  I  had 
to  suffer  for  it,  but  the  meeting  laid  the  business  over.  Yet  I 
was  not  allowed  the  opportunity  I  requested.  This  so  tried 
my  feelings  that  a  little  before  the  next  Monthly  Meeting,  I 
took  my  horse  and  went  away,  to  be  absent  at  that  time,  but 


142  JOURNAL    OF 

there  being  so  many  dissatisfied,  the  meeting  put  it  over  again. 
This  brought  them  to,  and  when  I  came  to  open  all  I  knew, 
and  give  the  business  a  fair  statement,  and  show  them  what 
could  bo  supported,  a  number  of  them  who  had  been  drawn 
into  a  party,  backed  out,  which  so  far  started  them  that  they 
proposed  a  trial  for  settlement.  I  advised  the  Friend  to  ease 
away  all  he  could  consistently,  and  after  several  hours,  it  was 
brought  to  a  settlement,  all  persons  excepting  one  member, 
agreed  that  they  would  be  satisfied  ;  although  the  Friend  did 
not  obtain  his  right  as  he  ought.  But  when  the  monthly 
meeting  came,  the  committee  would  not  report,  though  they 
were  present  at  the  settlement,  and  all  agreed  to  it  but  one. 
In  this  way  it  was  continued  for  several  months.  The  meeting 
grew  uneasy,  took  the  business  up,  and  appointed  a  second 
committee  to  call  on  the  first,  and  find  their  reasons  for  not 
complying  with  the  meeting's  directions ;  also  to  search  into 
the  business  and  report.  The  latter  committee  attended 
strictly  to  directions,  and  reported,  (two  of  the  former  commit- 
tee uniting  with  them),  that  they  were  satisfied  with  what  the 
Friend  had  done.  The  other  two  reported  they  had  visited 
him  to  no  satisfaction ;  but  the  meeting  chose  to  receive  the 
report  of  the  second  committee,  and  put  an  end  to  the 
business.  This  so  vexed  them,  that  they  pursued  him  and 
others,  who  were  disposed  to  maintain  discipline,  as  it  ought 
to  be,  that  they  kept  murmuring,  and  complaining  against  dis- 
cipline, and  would  spiritualize  it  into  lily  meaning  they  wanted, 
and  in  this  way  they  disordered  our  meeting  at  times  for  twen- 
ty years. 

At  length  there  was  a  difficulty  between  two  Friends,  in  a 
neighboring  meeting.  The  case  came  to  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, where  a  committee  of  seven  was  appointed,  of  which  I  was 
one.  We  agreed  to  pay  no  attention  to  reports,  or  parties, 
but  to  go  into  the  merits  of  the  case  by  proof,  and  we  kept  to ' 
it  with  a  steady  eye,  to  close  the  business  with  truth  and  jus- 
tice, and  let  each  party  make  the  best  defense  they  could  by 
proof.     The  Friend  who  had  been  harrassed  so  muclj  in  our 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  143 

Monthly  Meeting,  was  the  first  who  was  brought  on  for  a  wit- 
ness in  this  case.  His  testimony  appeared  clear  and  correct, 
but  was  denied  by  one,  until  it  was  confirmed  by  several  of  the 
first  characters ;  then  he  gave  it  up,  and  owned  that  the  testi- 
mony was  truth.  Of  course,  judgment  went  against  him.  This 
ofifended  some  of  his  party  so  much,  that  they  advised  their 
fellow  to  refase  compliance,  and  accordingly  he  did  so. 

There  being  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
to  visit  the  Monthly  Meetings,  and  labor  for  the  support  of  dis- 
cipline, they  came  while  things  were  in  this  unsettled  state. 
They  did  not  go  into  the  merits  of  the  difficulty,  but  insisted 
that  all  should  be  dropped  where  it  was,  and  be  at  peace.  I 
told  them  that  would  not  do,  for  there  was  a  company  that  al- 
ways had  been  contentious,  and  sought  to  hurt  those  who  were 
concerned  to  support  discipline ;  but  they  would  not  believe 
me,  and  quashed  the  business  until  they  got  out  of  sight.  It 
was  but  a  short  time  before  the  person,  failing  in  all  his  attacks, 
got  another  member  to  join  with  him.  They  persuaded  a 
Methodist  to  enter  a  complaint  for  perjury  against  the  first  wit- 
ness in  the  above  case,  and  that  they  would  support  it.  They 
prevailed  with  him  and  attested  enough  to  obtain  an  indict- 
ment. It  went  into  the  Court,  and  was  not  decided  for  more 
than  two^  years,  and  there,  in  the  Supreme  Court,  the  Friend 
brought  on  his  witnesses,  and  I  being  one  of  them,  gave  good 
attention.  I  heard  these  two  members  whose  testimonies  ob- 
tained the  indictmentp  and  one  more  member,  come  forward 
and  give  in  testimony  to  support  the  indictment,  under  affirm- 
ation as  false  as  false  could  be.  Then  there  were  five  other 
members  called  up,  w^ho  felt  it  our  duty  to  tell  the  truth.  This 
led  to  expose  the  whole  business,  before  a  great  body  of  peo- 
ple. The  Friend  was  cleared  by  public  proclamation.  There 
were  others  standing  by  who  could  witness  what  the  five  testi- 
fied, but  the  Judge  would  have  no  more  witnesses,  and  ex- 
claimed, "You  cannot  criminate  the  prisoner  at  the  bar,  and 
■why  will  you  try  ?  Here  are  five  witnesses  of  the  first  charac- 
ter, and  we  know  them,  and  they  agree ;  they  tell  one  thing, 


144  JOURNAL    OF 

and  neither  two  of  you  agree ;"  then  exclaimed,  "Monstrous ! 
there  is  a  monstrous  mistake  made  by  some  of  you." 

I  have  given  the  particulars,  finding  some  of  that  class  had 
reported  that  the  indictment  was  never  fairly  tried,  which  is 
entirely  false,  except  that  the  Friend  indicted  was  stopped  from 
bringing  all  his  witnesses,  and  they  brought  all  they  had.  This 
decision  very  much  put  a  stop  to  the  libertine  class,  and  we 
had  much  more  peaceable  times. 

I  shall  now  relate  some  of  the  conduct  and  events  that  fol- 
lowed the  two  overseers  who  carried  in  the  complaint  against 
the  Friend.  They  both  were  men  in  good  circumstances  as  to 
a  living,  and  one  a  thriving  man;  but  soon  after  they  took 
their  stand  they  began  to  go  down,  and  in  a  few  years  became 
very  poor,  and  every  way  they  seemed  to  be  blasted,  and  at 
last  were  both  disowned.  Their  families  are  gone  from  Friends 
also,  and  parents  and  children  are  gone  from  good  living,  and 
good  credit,  to  poverty  and  want,  and  have  taken  their  rank 
amongst  the  libertine  rabble  of  the  world.  I  note  these  events, 
my  children,  for  your  instruction,  knowing  them  to  be  true,  in 
hopes  they  will  be  precepts  to  guard  you  from  being  drawn 
into  a  fixed  belief,  by  hearing  one  side,  either  against,  or  in  fa- 
vor of  a  person,  or  cause,  until  you  know  the  truth  to  the  bot- 
tom, and  see  what  justice  and  truth  are ;  then,  abide  by  that 
standard,  without  fearing  man ;  then  you  will  always  have  the 
Lord  on  your  side,  who  will  uphold  the  innocent,  and  rebuke 
the  guilty;  as  I  have  seen  in  this  case,  in  several  instances. 
The  two  before  mentioned  Methodists,  were  men  of  handsome 
property,  and  of  good  credit  in  the  world ;  now  one  of  them  is 
as  poor,  as  he  well  can  be,  having  become  a  drunkard,  and 
acknowledges  that  a  blast  and  a  curse,  has  followed  him  ever 
since,  for  his  conduct  to  the  Friend.  The  other  who  was  not 
so  spiteful,  but  who  went  hand-in-hand  to  defraud  the  Friend, 
has  run  down,  and  is  brought  into  straitened  circumstances ; 
and  things  seem  continually  going  against  hira.  He  has  con- 
fessed that  he  always  knew,  that  the  Friend  was  wronged.  The 
Baptist  was  a  man  of  heavy  property,  but  in  a  few  years  was  so 


JOSEPH  HOAG.  145 

run,  as  to  be  confined  in  jail  for  debt  for  several  years,  and 
died  a  prisoner,  leaving  the  most  of  bis  family  very  poor,  and 
bis  estate  deeply  in  debt.  Tbe  libertine  class,  by  out-door  com- 
plaining, and  telling  pitiful  tales,  affecting  grief  with  sanctimo- 
nious countenances,  drew  in  many  honest-hearted  Friends,  to 
their  own  hurt.  This  they  did  at  home  and  abroad,  while  the 
upright  felt  bound  not  to  tattle  or  speak  evil  of  any ;  and  it 
appeared  the  libertines  thought  they  had  a  great  advantage ; 
and  they  made  use  of  it ;  but  it  all  failed  them.  The  truth  at 
last  had  the  victory.  Those  who  were  drawn  in,  fared  with  the 
rest.  There  was  one  who  had  a  fine  gift  in  the  ministry,  very 
acceptable  to  his  Mends  ;  but  when  he  sallied  off  with  the  con- 
tentious, his  gift  dwindled  away,  and  ceased  to  be ;  and  he  be- 
came a  poor,  sleepy,  thing,  appearing  like  the  heath  in  the  desert. 
So  we  may  see  that  being  deceived  will  not  excuse  us ;  for  the  God 
of  all  grace,  gives  a  sufiicient  measure  of  Light  and  Truth,  which 
if  kept  to,  with  a  single  eye,  will  preserve  us  from  all'deception, 
and  enable  to  see  it,  and  through  it,  and  will  bind  the  mind  to 
the  law,  and  testimony,  of  the  Spirit  of  Life ;  where  He  sustain- 
eth  those  who  put  their  whole  trust  in  him,  even  when  the 
mighty  billows  pass  over  the  head,  can  my  soul  truly  say. 

Here  I  close  this  disagreeable  account,  having  lived  to  see 
the  rise,  progress  and  fall  of  those  who  arose  against  truth  and 
order.  I  now  have  to  acknowledge,  that  it  was  of  the  Lord's 
mercies,  who  upheld  and  sustained  His  little  ones,  through  all 
this  fiery  trial.  Blessed  be  His  holy  name,  and  exalted  be  His 
power  and  goodness  over  all  forevemiore. 

In  the  year  1804  I  felt  drawings  of  Gospel  love,  to  visit  the 
scattered  Friends  and  others,  in  the  eastern  parts  of  my  own 
Quarterly  Meeting.  I  obtained  the  unity  of  my  Friends,  and 
attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  in  the  11th  month,  at  Danby ; 
went  from  there  to  Easton,  and  attended  their  Monthly  Meet- 
ing; the  day  following  I  was  at  Saratoga  Monthly  Meeting, 
where  I  had  to  bear  a  close,  searching  testimony,  found  things 
much  out  of  order  and  a  great  want  of  love  and  good  will 
ajnong  them.     The  next  first-day  I  was  at  Galway  Meeting. 


146  JOURNAL    OF 

It  was  large  and  favored  with  the  over-shadowings  of  good. 
On  second-day  I  attended  their  Monthly  Meeting  where  I  found 
it  my  place  to  be  a  silent  preacher.  This  sometimes  is  better 
for  the  people  than  words.  Third-day,  I  had  an  appointed 
meeting  at  Upper  Greenfield,  where  I  had  to  exhort  the  peo- 
ple in  moving  language,  to  be  faithful  to  the  knowledge  already 
received,  as  the  only  way  to  grow  in  grace  and  in  the  saving 
knowledge  of  the  Lord.  That  evening  I  had  a  meeting  at  the 
house  of  Israel  Kelsey,  a  few  miles  from  Friends ;  a  crowded 
meeting  and  favored  time.  The  next,  I  was  at  Queensbury, 
and  fell  in  with  Asa  Smith,  on  the  same  route.  After  making 
our  visit  here,  we  went  to  Chester;  where  there  are  a  few 
Friends,  and  had  a  meeting  with  them,  also  two,  among  a  com- 
pany of  rigid  Baptists  in  that  part  of  the  country.  It 
was  heavy  getting  along  with  them.  We  took  our  depar- 
ture, and  went  to  Granville,  by  the  way  of  Queensbury;  were 
at  Granville  Preparative  Meeting,  where  I  saw  no  room  to 
preach  to  them,  neither  did  Asa  communicate  much ;  it  seemed 
a  closed  up,  suffering  time.  From  here  we  went  to  Danby, 
were  at  their  Monthly  Meeting.  Here  we  were  nearly  united 
in  close,  plain  labor,  with  a  people  much  like  some  formerly, 
who  believed  they  were  rich  and  lacked  nothing;  wise  and 
able  to  judge  those,  who  were  of  the  synagogue  of  Satan,  when 
in  truth,  they  were  so  in  the  spirit  of  the  world,  atid  pursuit  of 
its  riches,  that  they  knew  not  how  they  were  blinded,  or  how 
naked  they  appeared,  in  the  sight  of  the  Searcher  of  all  hearts ; 
or  that  they  had  fallen  from  their  first  love ;  therefore,  they 
were  not  willing  to  part  with  their  possessions,  to  buy  soft  rai- 
ment or  gold  tried  in  the  furnace,  that  they  might  be  rich. 
Though  the  exercise  and  labor  were  painful,  and  deep  sorrow 
was  our  lot ;  yet  good  was  the  Lord,  who  gave  strength  to  la- 
bor, so  as  to  feel  clear  of  them,  and  the  evidence  of  "well  done" 
was  felt. 

First  day,  the  2d  of  12th  month,  we  had  a  meeting  near  the 
Creek ;  many  came  to  it  not  of  our  Society,  and  many  young 
people.     The  Lord  had  compassion  on  them ;  He  brake  the 


JOSEPH   HOA&.  147 

bread,  and  fed  them  to  the  full.  Oh,  that  they  would  gather 
up  the  fragments,  and  let  nothing  be  lost.  On  second  day,  we 
rode  to  Mount  Holly,  and  third  day,  visited  the  families  of  that 
little  meeting.  On  fourth  day  we  attended  the  meeting  there, 
the  well-springs  of  life  were  low,  and  sorrow  was  our  bitter 
meat  at  this  place,  on  the  account  of  unfaithfulness ;  we  were 
grieved,  as  it  was  a  stumbling  block  to  others.  Here  our  labors 
together  closed,  Asa  feeling  easy  to  go  home,  we  parted  in 
mutual  friendship  on  the  sixth  of  the  12th  month. 

I  went  for  Weston,  and  got  there  in  the  evening ;  stopped 
and  had  a  small  meeting  at  Land  Grove,  and  another  at  Weston  ; 
in  both  ability  was  given  to  do  the  work  of  the  day.  The  9th 
and  first  of  the  week.  We  had  a  meeting  in  Derry,  at  the  house 
of  Samuel  Arnold,  who  was  a  well  behaved  man,  and  entertained 
us  kindly.  The  meeting  was  large — the  people  sat  soberly — 
gave  good  attention,  and  appeared  to  be  well  satisfied.  The 
evening  following,  I  had  a  meeting  near  Andover,  amongst  a 
people  who  sought  to  get  to  heaven  an  easier  way  than  by  the 
Cross  of  Christ ;  preferring  ease,  to  faithfulness  to  known  duty. 
I  had  to  proclaim  the  notable  day  of  the  Lord,  which  would 
shake  all  false  rests,  and  search  out  all  false  coverings.  The 
next,  we  went  to  Ludlow,  and  had  a  meeting  at  the  house  of  a 
family  by  the  name  of  Havens.  It  was  not  large,  yet  it  was  a 
favored  meeting,  and  much  rejoiced  some  tender,  seeking  minds. 
The  Friend,  who  had  been  with  me  several  days,  left  me,  and 
Anthony  Nichols  took  his  place.  I  was  glad  of  his  company. 
We  went  to  Hanover  and  got  to  John  Williams'  on  the  12th. 
The  13th  we  had  a  large  meeting  in  the  neighborhood;  the 
people  were  civil,  and  the  Lord  gave  strength  for  the  day,  and 
utterance  for  the  time.  I  was  enabled  to  bear  a  clear,  faithful 
testimony,  to  and  for  the  Truth,  amongst  a  mixed  multitude. 
The  meeting  ended  quietly,  and  the  people  retired  with  a  sober 
countenance.  The  14th  we  rode  to  Stafford,  and  went  to  Al- 
exander Presson's.  The  15th  we  had  a  meeting  in  that  neigh- 
borhood. 


148  JOURNAL  OF 

On  first  day,  the  16th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Timothy  Blade's. 
In  both  the  above  meetings,  close,  plain  labor,  was  my  lot, 
amongst  a  people  who  had  known  better  days  than  they  now 
enjoy.  In  the  evening  we  had  a  meeting  at  Preserved  Taft's. 
It  was  full  and  richly  favored  with  a  renewed  and  tendering 
visitation  to  the  people  of  that  place.  Oh !  may  it  not  be  like 
the  early  dew,  that  soon  passes  away.  The  iVth  we  had  a 
meeting  at  Matthew  Herrinton's.  More  people  came  in  than 
I  expected,  it  being  a  windy  day,  and  the  snow  flew  much. 
This  was  a  season  of  mourning.  There  had  once  been  a  Friend's 
Meeting  kept  in  these  parts,  in  a  hopeful  state ;  but  they  not 
being  enough  on  their  guard,  got  into  contention,  and  their 
meeting  dropped.  The  old  fire  had  not  yet  gone  out.  I  had 
to  labor  close  and  plain  with  them ;  cleared  my  mind  and  felt 
well  relieved.  1 8th,  parted  with  Anthony  Nichols,  in  good 
unity,  he  wanting  to  go  home.  The  19th,  I  started  with  Tim- 
othy Blake,  for  Charleston,  in  New  Hampshire,  to  answer  a  re- 
quest of  George  Churchman,  and  with  one  day's  search  found 
all  that  could  be  found,  of  what  he  wanted,  and  sent  it  to  him. 
The  21st  we  returned  to  John  Williams',  in  Hanover.  The 
22d  we  had  a  meeting  near  the  College,  at  the  house  of  Ezekiel 
Baldwin.  To  it  came  a  number  who  were  high  in  their  feel- 
ings, and  full  of  high  notions.  This  brought  deep  exercise  over 
my  mmd,  until  the  Lord  of  Hosts  was  pleased  to  send  forth  his 
word  with  power,  and  his  Truth  in  clearness,  which  made  its 
way  and  prevailed.  Their  partition  walls  gave  way;  their  high 
feelings  came  down,  and  Ti-uth  reigned,  to  the  praise  of  the 
name  of  the  Most  High.  First  day,  the  23d,  I  had  a  meeting 
in  the  East  part  of  Hanover,  and  a  number  of  seeking  people 
came  to  it.  I  felt  the  Gospel  to  flow  to  them,  and  it  settled  on 
them  as  the  dew,  to  the  1»endering  of  many  minds.  May  the 
Lord  bless  the  favor  of  the  day  to  them,  and  hold  them  as  in 
the  hollow  of  His  hand.  The  24th,  we  returned  to  Timothy 
Blake's.  The  35th,  had  a  meeting  at  Benjamin  Folsom's,  in 
Tunbridge,  where,  after  having  a  favored,  solid  meeting,  and 
closed  the  same,  they  being  what  is  called  New  Lights,  went 


JOSEPH  HO  AG,  149 

into  their  manner  of  worship,  for  several  Lours.  They  soon 
destroyed  all  the  precious  life  that  had  been  felt  in  the  meeting 
before.  It  being  evening,  I  had  nowhere  else  to  go,  and  had 
to  stay,  see  and  hear  it  all.  They  kept  the  noise  agoing  until 
they  wearied  themselves.  They  then  went  off  by  one  and  two, 
and  tapered  off  until  there  were  none  left.  I  had  some  discourse 
with  Folsom  on  the  subject,  but  he  insisted  it  was  perfectly 
right.  I  had  a  wearisome  night,  and  was  glad  when  morning 
came.  I  pitied  them,  and  left  them.  The  26th,  I  rode  to  Ezra 
Sleeper's,  in  Corinth,  and  had  a  large,  favored  meeting  at  his 
house.  The  power  of  the  Lord  was  felt  to  be  over  all.  The 
2'7th  had  another  meeting  in  Corinth.  It  was  also  large,  and  a 
favored,  humbling  time.  The  28th,  I  had  a  meeting  at  Chelsea, 
and  had  the  company  of  the  high  and  gay.  I  had  to  come  to 
close,  plain  work,  and  was  strengthened  through  Divine  Mer- 
cy, to  perform  the  service  of  the  day,  to  the  relief  and  peace  of 
my  mind. 

The  29th,  I  rode  to  Montpelier.  First  day,  the  1 3th,  attended 
that  meeting,  in  which  I  had  close  labor,  and  felt  well  satisfied. 
31st,  I  had  another  small  meeting  in  Montpelier;  after  that  I 
felt  clear  to  look  towards  home,  where  I  arrived  the  2d  of  1st 
month,  1805,  and  found  my  family  well,  to  my  comfort. 

In  the  year  1806,  a  prospect  opened  with  weight  on  my 
mind,  to  visit  the  meetings  of  Friends  in  the. south  and  east 
parts  of  our  Yearly  Meeting.  I  opened  it  in  the  Monthly- 
Meeting,  and  had  their  consent.  The  7th  of  the  2d  month,  I 
left  home,  with  Nicholas  Battey  for  a  companion,  and  went  to 
Danby,  and  on  first  day,  the  9th,  sat  through  the  meeting  in 
deep  suffering,  with  sealed  lips.  We  had  an  appointed  meeting 
in  the  afternoon,  in  the  Valley,  where  way  opened  to  get  relief. 
The  comforting  presence  of  the  Lord  was  felt  to  crown  the 
meeting.  The  10th,  we  rode  toEaston.  The  11th,  I  attended 
our  Select  Quarter,  where  we  had  the  company  of  Mary  New- 
bold  and  Elizabeth  Coleman,  two  goodly  ministers  from  Bur- 
lington, New  Jersey.  We  had  a  favored  Quarterly  Meeting, 
and  from  it  I  went  to  White  Creek,  and  on  the  14th  had  a  la- 


150  JOURNAL    OF 

borioiis  meeting  there,  having  to  encounter  ease,  and  a  worldly 
spirit.  I  was  mercifully  helped  to  relieve  my  mind,  so  as  to 
feel  satisfied.  On  the  15th,  we  rode  to  Adams.  16th,  we  at- 
tended their  first  day  meeting,  where,  after  sitting  some  length 
of  time  under  deep  exercise,  and  much  strippedness  of  spirit, 
way  opened  in  Gospel  light  and  life,  to  deliver  a  testimony 
which  much  relieved  my  mind,  and  was  a  comfort  and  satisfac- 
tion to  my  friends.  We' then  went  to  Hancock,  where  were  a 
few  Friends,  and  on  the  l7th,  appointed  a  meeting  there,  which 
though  not  large,  was  favored  with  the  owning  presence  of  Is- 
rael's King.  After  it,  we  went  to  John  Gorton's  for  the  night, 
and  found  a  large  family  of  children,  several  grown  up.  In  the 
evening,  we  had  a  solemn,  tendering  opportunity  in  the  family, 
much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  parents,  and  sweet  peace  of  my 
mind.  18th,  we  passed  on  to  New  Britain,  having  John  Gor- 
ton for  our  pilot.  This  was  a  large  meeting.  The  19th,  we 
had  a  meeting  at  Clinakiln,  which  was  also  large.  In  both 
these  meetings,  I  had  painful  labor,  there  being  much  of  a 
worldly  spirit  and  self-confidence  among  Friends — states  hard 
to  touch.     I  passed  from  them  with  a  heavy  heart. 

The  21st,  we  had  a  meeting  in  Hudson,  which  was  a  large 
gathering,  and  a  deeply  exercising  time,  it  being  the  place 
where  Hannah  Barnard  had  sown  much  of  her  infidel  seed,  so 
that  there  was  great  coolness  in  the  minds  of  many  ;  yet  they 
would  come  to  meetings  when  strangers  passed  along.  Through 
Divine  Goodness,  ability  was  given  to  bear  a  faithful  testimony, 
which  gave  me  fall  relief.  On  the  22d,  we  traveled  to  Little 
Nine  Partners.  First  day,  the  23d,  we  attended  that  meeting. 
The  24th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Stanford.  The  25th,  we  had  a 
meeting  at  the  Creek — my  native  place.  The  26th,  had  a  meet- 
ing at  Crumb  Elbow.  From  there  we  went  to  Poughkeepsie, 
and  had  a  satisfactory  meeting  in  the  town.  In  the  above 
meetings  heart  searching  exercise  was  much  my  lot,  for  a  world- 
ly spirit  and  a  state  of  ease  had  got  so  much  the  ascendency 
in  many  minds,  that  it  was  trying  to  my  feelings  to  be  faithful 
to  the  openings  of  my  gift ;  but  in  faithfulness,  I  found  great 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  151 

peace.  I  liad  now  and  tlien  to  drop  the  language  of  encour- 
agement, to  the  honest  and  upright ;  this  was  pleasant.  We 
had  a  meeting  in  Pleasant  Valley,  a  comfortable  time,  the 
meeting  ended  sweetly.  The  1st  of  3d  month,  we  had  a  meet- 
ing at  the  West  Branch,  Oswego.  First  day,  the  2d,  we  at- 
tended Nine  Partners  meetiDg,  where  I  had  to  come  to  plain 
work  amongst  the  great  ones,  and  had  peace  in  obedience.  On 
2d  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Old  Oswego,  and  the  day  follow- 
ing at  Apoquague.  Here  I  had  to  see  the  ways  of  Zion  mourn, 
and  to  mourn  with  her,  in  seeing  her  walls  trodden  down,  by 
some  who  ought  to  have  been  repairers  of  her  breaches. 

We  were  next  at  the  Ridge  meeting.  From  there  we  went  to 
the  Little  meeting.  West  Branch,  Oblong,  and  proceeded  to 
West  Hartford,  Connecticut,  and  attended  their  meeting.  We 
found  them  in  a  tried  situation,  on  account  of  some  who  had 
dissented  from  them,  and  were  disposed  for  clamour.  Not 
feeling  easy  to  leave,  we  staid  until  after  their  Monthly  Meeting, 
and  then  passed  on  to  New  Milford,  got  there  on  the  13th  and 
had  a  meeting  with  them  on  the  14th.  There  were  many 
present  who  were  not  of  our  society.  It  was  a  time  of  favor ; 
many  minds  were  tendered,  and  brought  to  remember  "the 
rock  from  whence  they  were  hewn,  and  the  hole  of  the  pit  from 
whence  they  were  digged,"  and  to  acknowledge  to  the  Trath  ; 
may  it  prove  a  time  of  profitable  planting  to  that  people. 

The  15th,  we  rode  to  Middlesex,  and  the  16th,  the  first  of 
the  week,  notice  being  given,  there  came  in  a  number  of  sober 
countenanced  people,  for  whom  I  nearly  felt — it  being  a  day  of 
favor — for  the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  the  country  are  so  in- 
fested with  hireling  priests,  that  if  a  little  light  break  forth 
amongst  the  people,  they  bestir  themselves  to  cast  a  veil  over 
it,  so  that  it  seemed  mournful,  and  I  pitied  the  people.  1 7th, 
we  crossed  the  East  Eiver,  at  Rye  Ferry,  and  went  to  Stephen 
Titus',  and  being  much  unwell,  I  stopped  until  after  their 
Monthly  Meeting  at  Westbury,  on  the  19th,  where,  not  finding 
any  commission  to  preach,  I  passed  the  meeting  in  silence. 
20th,  we  attended  Jericho  Monthly  Meeting,  v/here  I  had  a 


152  JOURNAL    OF 

stort,  close  testimony,  and  was  well  rewarded  by  my  Good 
Master.  21st,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Matinicock.  Here,  having 
a  clear,  extensive  opening,  on  a  deep  subject,  I  mused  on  it 
and  put  it  off,  until  I  lost  the  right  time  and  best  strength,  and 
thereby  wounded  myself  and  hurt  the  meeting,  and  had  to 
suffer  deeply  for  it.  The  next  meeting  was  at  Cow  Neck,  and 
having  learned  by  the  things  I  had  suffered,  I  endeavored  to 
mind  my  Master's  business  more  attentively,  and  was  favored 
to  get  through  the  service  of  the  day  to  good  satisfaction  to 
myself  and  Friends.  23d,  first  day,  we  were  at  Flushing,  where 
it  pleased  the  Master  of  Israel's  assemblies  to  lift  up  the  light 
of  His  countenance,  and  raise  the  standard  of  Truth,  and  set 
its  dominion  over  all.  After  this  meeting,  I  felt  arrested  to  go 
into  New  York  City,  and  appoint  a  meeting  for  second  day 
evening  the  24th,  at  Pearl  street  meeting  house.  This  brought 
close  exercise,  as  I  never  had  appointed  a  meeting  in  the  city ;  but 
seeing  no  way  to  turn  to  the  right  or  left  hand,  I  gave  up,  went 
to  the  city,  and  opened  my  prospect  to  Friends.  They  strug- 
gled under  it  for  awhile,  and  proposed  several  alterations.  I 
let  them  know  I  could  not  turn  to  the  right  hand  or  left.  I 
could  give  it  up  and  go  along,  but  to  alter,  I  could  not.  They 
did  not  choose  to  take  the  burden  off  me,  so  complied  with 
my  prospect,  and  informed  the  people.  It  was  thought  that 
more  than  two  thousand  people  collected,  and  He  who  required 
the  appointment,  furnished  with  matter,  and  gave  ability  and 
utterance  sufficient  for  the  day ;  favoring  with  His  holy  solem- 
nity, which  covered  and  crowned  the  meeting,  to  the  joy  of 
many  hearts,  and  the  satisfaction  of  Friends  in  general.  The 
meeting  closed  with  thanksgiving  and  praise,  to  the  Most  High 
God,  for  His  present  and  past  favors,  with  an  humble  prayer  for 
a  continuation  of  His  mercies  that  endure  forever. 

Third  day,  the  25th,  we  rode  to  Westchester,  and  stopped 
with  Thomas  Walker  and  wife,  where  we  found  kind  reception. 
Next  day,  attended  that  meeting,  and  though  a  stormy  day,  it 
was  pretty  full,  and  a  favored,  satisfactory  meeting ;  after  which, 
we  rode  to  New  Rochelle,  and  lodged  with  Joseph  Bownc, 


JOSEPH  BOA&.  153 

where  we  were  kindly  treated.  STth,  we  were  at  Mamaroneck 
meeting.  Here,  finding  my  mind  led  into  different  subjects,  I 
was  thoughtful  to  close  in  good  season ;  but  after  sitting  down, 
I  did  not  feel  that  clear  quiet  which  I  commonly  feel  when  I 
time  it  right ;  but  being  unwilling  to  rise  again,  or  kneel — for 
my  mind  was  arrested  with  both — I  sat  until  it  wore  ofi",  and 
then  broke  the  meeting.  After  I  got  out,  an  Elder  came  and 
took  me  by  the  hand  and  said,  "  Joseph,  thou  hast  been  preach- 
ing to  others  to  be  faithful  to  their  gifts  ;  hast  thou  been  faith- 
ful to  thine  ?  I  confess  I  did  not  expect  the  meeting  to  end 
so,"  and  turned  away.  Though  I  did  not  expect  to  be  found 
out  in  that  way,  I  was  glad  to  meet  with  such  honesty  from 
the  Friend. 

We  went  on  to  Harrison's  Purchase,  where  we  stopped  until 
first  day ;  we  attended  that  meeting,  according  to  prospect,  and 
had  another  in  the  evening  at  North  Castle.  In  both  these 
meetings  ability  and  utterance  were  given  to  bear  a  faithful  tes- 
timony against  the  unlawful  love  of  the  world,  the  love  of  ease 
and  carnal  security,  and  I  felt  comforted  in  the  quiet  I  enjoyed. 
The  next  meeting  was  at  Shapaqua.  Here  I  had  to  put  on  my 
mourning  garment,  and  call  on  the  Ministers  of  the  Lord,  to 
weep  between  the  porch  and  the  altar.  The  day  following,  we 
were  at  Croton  Yalley.  Here  we  had  a  comfortable  meeting, 
with  a  little  company  of  well  concerned  Friends.  We 
passed  from  this  to  Amawalk,  where  we  had  a  serious,  good 
meeting,  and  then  went  to  Cortland's  Manor,  near  the  mouth 
of  Croton,  and  had  a  meeting  there  to  good  satisfaction.  We 
passed  on  to  Peekskill,  and  had  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  where 
I  remembered  the  apostle,  who  felt  a  necessity  to  labor  in 
weakness  and  fear.  After  this,  we  went  to  West  Point,  and 
crossed  the  river  and  mountains  to  Cornwall,  to  see  my  aged 
friend,  David  Sands,  who  had  lately  returned  from  a  long  re- 
ligious visit  in  Europe.  We  found  him  cheerful,  enjoying  the 
rich  sheaves  of  a  well  gathered  harvest.  While  here,  I  felt  ar- 
rested to  have  a  meeting  at  Newburgh.  It  kept  with  me  with 
weight,  and  I  sww  no  better  way  than  to  open  it  to  Friends) 
10 


154  JOURNAL   OF 

• 

who  seemed  not  opposed  to  it.  It  was  agreed  on ;  we  set  out 
with  a  young  friend  to  pilot  and  assist  us.  After  we  got  into  the 
road,  it  was  shown  me,  in  great  clearness,  that  the  offering  was 
accepted — the  will  was  fully  taken  for  the  deed — and  I  was  at 
liberty  to  go  home — a  joyful  release.  We  dismissed  the  young 
man  and  went  forward  for  home,  and  made  no  stop  except  for 
rest,  etc.,  until  we  got  to  Troy,  where  we  stopped  to  their  first 
day  meeting — ^to  me  a  refreshing  time,  the  living  presence  of 
the  Lamb  of  God  was  felt  to  be  in  the  midst,  sweetly  giving 
strength  for  every  good  word  and  work.  I  being  unwell,  and 
the  weather  unfavorable,  we  got  no  farther  than  Granville  by 
4th  day.  We  stopped  and  attended  that  meeting.  In  it  I 
had  satisfactory  service.  This  was  the  last  meeting  we  attended 
in  this  journey.  From  here  we  went  direct  home  ;  got  there 
the  18th  of  the  4th  month,  and  found  my  family  well,  and 
glad  to  see  me  return. 

On  the  Yth  of  5th  month,  1807,  I  set  out  to  perform  a  visit 
to  Friends  of  Upper  Canada,  and  Farmington  Quarter,  in  com- 
pany with  Valentine  Header,  (my  son-in-law),  and  Nathaniel 
Austin.  We  went  to  Peru  on  seventh  day,  and  attended  that 
meeting  on  first  day,  the  8th.  The  9th  we  had  a  meeting  in 
the  town  of  Jay,  about  twenty  miles  up  the  river  Au  Sable. 
10th,  we  had  a  meeting  on  the  west  branch  of  said  river;  both 
of  them  small  meetings,  amongst  a  careless,  easy  people,  who 
cared  very  little  about  religion  ;  so  that  it  seemed  like  beating 
the  wind,  to  preach  to  them.  11th,  we  had  a  meeting  in  Ches- 
terfield, to  good  satisfaction;  the  people  were  attentive,  open  and 
tender.  12th,  we  attended  meeting  at  Peru  again,  where  I  had 
extensive  labor,  and  was  much  relieved  in  mind.  In  the  after- 
noon, we  had  a  favored,  satisfactory  meeting,  two  or  three  miles 
north  of  Friend's  meeting  house.  On  the  13th  we  set  forward 
for  Upper  Canada,  traveled  seventy  miles  through  a  wilderness 
almost  without  inhabitants,  the  road  new  and  miry,  so  that  it 
took  us  two  days  and  a  half  to  gain  Salmon  River,  where  there 
is  a  newish  settlement,  mostly  Scotch,  and  finding  no  way  to 
cross  the  river  St.  Lawrence  until  second  day,  the  16th,  we  lay 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  155 

at  one  Comon's,  wlio  went  witli  us  across  tlie  river,  and  landed 
us  in  Charlottebury.  We  rode  eight  miles  and  took  dinner  in 
Camwell,  and  on  tlie  lYth  and  18tli  traveled  to  Elizabethtown, 
staid  with  Matthew  Howard  for  the  night,  and  were  kindly  en- 
tertained. We  had  a  meeting  in  this  settlement.  The  people 
were  civil  and  quite  attentive,  and  appeared  well  satisfied ; 
thence  to  Gershom  Wing's,  (a  Friend),  twelve  miles  ride,  where 
we  had  another  meeting.  It  was  a  favored,  tendering  time. 
May  the  hand  of  the  Lord  be  over  that  people  for  good ! 

After  this  we  journeyed  through  a  long  wilderness  for  Kings- 
ton ;  the  weather  being  rainy,  and  the  roads  new,  we,  and  the 
horses  were  much  fatigued,  but  were  favored  to  get  through  in 
good  season  on  the  21st,  and  went  to  the  Widow  Brewer's,  in 
Kingston,  where  we  were  kindly  received.  First  day,  2 2d,  we 
attended  the  little  meeting  there,  which  was  painful,  on  account 
of  the  want  of  true  zeal  and  faithful  obedience  to  the  knowledge 
already  received  by  some  of  their  members.  I  had  to  come  to 
plain  work,  and  found  peace  in,  being  faithful.  Not  feeling 
clear,  I  appointed  another  meeting  at  the  4th  hour  in  the  after- 
noon, at  the  same  place,  which  was  trying  to  an  hair's  breadth. 
The  people  being  uneasy  and  restless,  it  seemed  hard  getting 
into  the  quiet,  or  a  suitable  preparation  either  for  worship  or 
service.  Thus  tried,  I  sighed  to  the  Lord,  and  breathed  in  the 
grogjaings  of  spirit,  that  He  would  arise  for  the  help  of  the 
needy,  and  order  the  battle  of  the  day.  He  was  pleased  to 
still  the  bustle  in  a  marvelous  manner,  and  open  the  spring  of 
life  in  the  needful  time,  so  that  the  testimony  of  Truth  went 
forth  in  clearness  and  living  authority,  to  the  breaking  down 
of  the  strongholds  of  opposition  for  that  time.  Blessed  be  the 
mighty  power  of  the  Lord  forevermore ! 

The  23d,  we  rode  to  Adolphus  town,  and  went  to  John  Dor- 
ian's— an  old  friend  of  my  father's — where  we  were  cordially 
received.  24th,  had  a  meeting  with  Friends  there.  Next  day, 
we  attended  their  usual  meeting,  with  them,  and  in  the  after- 
noon had  a  meeting  with  those  not  of  our  Society.  We  next 
had  a  meeting  across  the  Point,  in  the  Court  House,     In  both 


156  JOURNAL    OF 

these  meetings  the  people  were  sober  and  attentive,  and  parted 
with  us  respectfully.  From  here,  we  crossed  the  Bay  to  a  set- 
tlement of  Friends  at  Ameliasburg,  where  we  had  a  large,  fa- 
vored meeting,  for  the  place,  and  I  passed  on  cheerfully.  Sev- 
enth day,  we  rode  to  Westlake,  and  put  up  at  a  Friend's  house. 
There  soon  came  in  a  number  of  people.  I  felt  that  I  could 
not  stay  in  the  house  in  peace.  The  sun  was  all  of  two  hours 
high  when  I  walked  into  the  woods,  and  did  not  return  until 
after  dark,  when  I  found  the  house  clear  of  the  company.  The 
next  day,  at  their  meeting,  I  was  led  in  the  course  of  my  testi- 
mony to  take  up  the  subject  of  high  professors  taking  advan- 
tage of  the  necessities  of  the  poor,  to  screw  them  down,  and 
grind  the  face  of  the  needy.  I  was  led  to  make  some  close  re- 
marks on  the  subject ;  but  not  feeling  clear  of  the  place,  we 
appointed  a'meeting  in  the  afternoon,  and  to  it  abundance  of 
people  came.  I  had  to  take  up  the  subject  at  large,  and  show 
that  the  rich  had  it  in  their  power  to  wipe  the  tear  from  the 
widow's  eye,  and  make  the  fatherless  rejoice,  and  their  hearts 
bless  them ;  that  the  honest  and  industrious  poor  ought  to  be 
helped.  This  would  be  acting  as  Ministers  of  the  Lord  to  the 
poor.  But  when  the  rich  took  the  advantage  of  the  poor,  to 
increase  their  hoards  of  shining  ore,  they  made  the  poor  to 
sigh,  the  widow  to  weep,  and  the  fatherless  to  cry  for  want ; 
thus  adding  grief  to  sorrow,  and  vexation  to  those  already  in 
trouble ;  so  that  in  vain  is  the  profession  of  such.  The  Lord 
will  have  no  respect  to  your  oflPering,  until  you  can  streteh  out 
your  hands  to  the  poor,  to  relieve  the  agonies  of  woe.  The 
word  of  Truth  went  forth  in  that  authority,  that  all  opposition 
fell  before  it ;  the  meeting  became  very  much  broken  into  ten- 
derness of  heart,  and  many  to  weeping — a  solemn,  humbling 
time.  May  the  Lord  bless  it  to  the  people,  to  the  praise  of 
His  own  name ! 

After  we  left  there,  I  was  informed  by  my  company,  that 
those  who  gathered  at  the  house  where  we  first  went,  came 
there  on  account  of  an  arbitration  between  a  rich  Friend  and  a 
poor  man.    They  sat  by  and  heard  the  investigation,  and  it 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  157 

was  made  to  appear  that  the  Friend  had  taken  unjust  advan- 
tage of  him  several  ways,  and  screwed  him  down  unmercifully  ; 
that  when  the  award  was  brought  in,  the  Friend  refused  com- 
pliance, and  went  off  offended.  This  took  place  while  I  was  in 
the  woods.  Both  parties  were  at  the  meetings,  and  they  heard 
the  Friend  came  forward  the  next  day  pliably,  and  was  willing 
to  settle.  I  had  reason  to  hope  that  some  good  was  done,  and 
I  had  in  humility,  to  admire  the  tender  care  of  the  Lord,  in 
leading  me  into  the  forest,  solitary  and  alone,  so  that  I  heard 
nothing  of  it  until  I  got  clear  from  them.  I  have  often  found 
it  good  to  adhere  to  impressions  felt,  though  at  the  time  I  knew 
not  for  why  or  what. 

The  30th,  second  day,  we  set  forward  to  Yonge  street,  rode 
about  forty  miles  through  woods  and  mire,  and  weary  enough 
when  night  came.  We  put  up  vdth  Joseph  Keeler,  a  friendly 
man — his  wife  a  member.  Here  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  af- 
ternoon, which  was  to  our  comfort,  so  that  we  were  glad  we 
were  here.  We  passed  from  here  to  Whitby,  forty  miles,  and 
reached  Russel  Hoag's,  a  kinsman  of  mine.  He  was  educated 
a  Friend,  and  his  wife  a  Baptist ;  each  closely  attached  to  their 
education,  so  that  it  made  hard  work  in  their  family,  they  hav- 
ing a  number  of  children.  They  both  earnestly  endeavored  to 
get  as  many  as  they  could  to  go  with  each  of  them,  so  that  I 
pitied  the  children.  The  parents  brought  this  dilemma  upon 
themselves,  and  it  was  but  just  that  they  should  feel  the  rod  of 
their  own  choosing.  3d  of  6th  month,  we  had  a  meeting  at 
his  house,  amongst  a  people  settled  at  ease  on  couches  of  their 
own  choosing,  off  of  which  they  seemed  determined  not  to  be 
moved.  To  preach  to  them  seemed  to  make  no  more  entry  to 
many  minds  than  water  poured  on  a  rock.  I  parted  with  my 
kinsman  with  a  heavy  heart,  who  feels  the  weight  of  his  situa- 
tion, and  none  in  that  place  to  unbosom  his  grief  to,  so  that  his 
trials  are  deep,  and  afflictions  great ;  but  it  is  the  reward  of  his 
own  conduct. 

From  here,  we  went  to  Timothy  Roger's,  at  Duffin's  Creek, 
eight  miles,  who  seemed  rejoiced  to  see  us.    A  few  years  be- 


158  JOURNAL   OF 

fore  tMs,  he  had  moved  from  my  neighborhood.  We  tarried 
with  him  one  night,  and  I  was  glad  to  see  him  so  comfortably 
settled.  We  took  a  solid  parting  opportunity  with  the  family, 
and  went  on  to  Asa  Randall's,  at  Whitchurch,  the  4th.  First 
day,  5th,  we  attended  Friends'  meeting  in  that  town,  and  ap- 
pointed another  in  the  afternoon  at  the  same  house,  which  was 
large,  and  the  minds  of  the  people  were  open  to  receive  what 
the  Great  Master  had  for  them  ;  and  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
favor  with  a  plentiful  shower  that  softened  and  tendered  the 
soil,  and  revived  the  tender  plants. 

Second  day,  we  rode  to  Yonge  street,  and  went  to  Jacob 
Winn's,  another  Friend,  who  had  moved  from  my  country. 
He  and  family  seemed  much  joyed  to  see  us.  Third  day,  we 
went  to  Ephraim  Dunham's,  (my  brother-in-law),  in  Queen 
street  settlement,  where  we  had  a  large,  favored  meeting.  The 
Truth  went  forth  like  a  sword,  that  divided  between  the  pre- 
cious and  the  vile,  and  reigned  over  all  wrong  that  day  to  the 
honor  of  the  cause  of  Truth,  and  I  hope  to  the  praise  of  the 
Most  High  God.  8th,  we  attended  the  Preparative  meeting, 
at  Yonge  street.  Notice  being  given,  the  meeting  was  large. 
I  was  led  into  a  close,  searching  line  of  testimony.  I  felt  the 
Truth  to  prevail,  and  its  authority  to  rise  in  dominion  over  all 
opposition,  to  the  great  joy  of  my  heart,  and  the  comfort  of 
many  honest  minds.  Magnified  be  the  name  of  the  Lord,  who 
abundantly  giveth  strength  sufficient  for  the  day ! 

The  10th,  we  rode  to  TJxbridge,  a  long  stretch  through  the 
woods,  and  had  a  meeting  with  a  few  Friends  there.  It  was  a 
tendering,  comfortable  opportunity.  11th,  we  returned  to 
Yonge  street.  First  day,  the  12th,  we  attended  Whitchurch 
meeting.  Here  I  was  led  into  a  painful  exercise,  being  deeply 
distressed,  and  saw  no  way  to  get  relief,  but  to  tell  Friends  how 
I  felt,  and  how  it  appeared  to  me  it  was  with  them,  and  how  it 
came  to  be  so,  and  what  they  had  to  do  to  get  into  a  better 
state,  though  it  was  much  in  the  cross.  I  was  finally  relieved, 
and  after  meeting,  felt  my  cup  to  overflow  with  peace,  as  a  riv- 
er.   I  was  told  by  a  Friend  of  that  meeting,  that  I  had  twitted 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  159 

them  of  facts,  and  that  it  was  so ;  for  they  had  been  in  a  sad 
quarrel,  and  he  hoped  it  would  do  them  good. 

Second  day,  the  13th,  we  attended  an  appointed  meeting,  at 
Queen  street,  for  Sarah  Pope,  of  Jersey,  and  Gulielma  Widdi- 
field,  of  Philadelphia— a  good  meeting.  14th,  we  had  a  meet- 
ing in  the  south  part  of  Uxbridge,  it  was  small.  Being  elec- 
tion day,  many  of  the  men  were  gone.  We  had  a  fine  compa- 
ny of  women,  and  a  favored,  tendering  time.  The  meeting 
closed  under  a  sweet  solemnity.  15th  and  16th,  attended 
Yonge  street  Monthly  Meeting;  abundance  of  people  came  to 
it.  After  sitting  awhile  in  this  meeting,  under  a  close,  lively 
exercise,  I  felt  a  clear  opening,  and  lively  motion  to  rise  on  my 
feet,  and  when  I  had  opened  my  subject,  it  was  all  taken  from 
me.  I  stood  a  little,  then  sat  down,  and  felt  great  peace  in 
being  resigned  to  the  Lord's  will.  The  people  were  much  dis- 
appointed ;  but  the  women  had  good  service.  In  the  last  meet- 
ing my  bow  was  well  strung,  and  I  returned  from  the  field  of 
labor  well  rewarded. 

The  I7th,  we  rode  to  Humber,  where  I  met  with  my  wife^s 
sister,  Elizabeth,  who  I  had  not  seen,  for  nine  years.  Here  be- 
ing taken  sick,  I  stopped  one  day.  First  day,  19th,  I  parted 
with  the  family,  with  an  exceeding  heavy  heart,  and  rode  forty- 
three  miles.  The  roads  were  generally  muddy ;  the  country 
being  new,  we  had  deep  mud  holes  to  plunge  through.  Wc 
arrived  at  the  Government  house  at  the  head  of  Lake  Ontario, 
where  we  staid  all  night.  20th,  we  got  into  Pelham;  21st, 
this  morning,  parted  with  our  sowthern  friends,  and  next  day 
attended  meeting  there.  It  was  a  crowded  one,  and  much  of 
mixed  multitude.  Here,  my  son-in-law  bore  the  most  able 
testimony,  I  thought,  that  I  had  ever  heard  from  him.  I  had 
to  follow  on,  and  the  Lord  was  good,  and  clothed  with  strength 
sufficient  for  the  day,  furnished  with  matter  and  utterance 
equal  to  the  occasion,  and  raised  the  Truth  in  dominion,  and 
exalted  the  standard  of  righteousness  to  our  great  joy,  and  to 
the  honor  of  His  holy  and  ever  adorable  name. 


160  JOURNAL   OP 

The  23d,  we  attended  a  litttle  meeting  at  Wm.  ShowdM's. 
Here  I  was  shut  up  in  silence.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  I 
thought  I  felt  it  best  to  remark,  that  it  was  they,  and  they  on- 
ly, who  waited  on  the  Lord,  that  renewed  their  strength ;  and 
and  it  appeared  to  me,  that  if  the  people  then  gathered  had 
waited  as  intently  on  the  Lord  as  they  had  on  an  inferior  ob- 
ject, no  doubt  we  should  have  had  a  fine,  precious  meeting.  I 
felt  well  satisfied  in  making  the  remark  After  meeting  I  felt 
easy  to  go  on  to  attend  an  appointment  in  Cowland,  where'  a 
number  of  sober  looking  people  came  together.  Here  the 
well-springs  of  the  Gospel  were  opened,  and  its  waters  ran 
freely,  forcibly,  and  made  its  way  in  the  dry  and  parched,  as 
well  as  other  kind  of  soil,  and  abundantly  refreshed  the  tender 
plants — a  day  of  favor  to  the  people.  May  it  be  remembered 
with  thanksgiving,  and  wisely  improved ! 

Seventh  day,  we  visited  Niagara  Falls,  a  great  curiosity  of 
nature.  From  this,  we  went  to  Black  Creek,  attended  that 
meeting  on  first  day,  the  26th.  It  was  large,  and  a  renewed 
visitation  of  the  Lord  witnessed.  Oh  !  that  the  people  would 
improve  their  favors. 

The  2'7th,  we  crossed  the  Niagara  river  at  Black  Rock,  into 
the  States,  and  traveled  through  Bufialo  Indian  settlement — a 
beautiful  tract  of  land — the  Indians  were  very  kind.  Finding 
their  crooked  paths  puzzled  us,  they  sent  one  to  pilot  us  to  the 
few  Friends  who  had  settled  a  few  miles  from  them.  With 
these  Friends,  the  28th,  we  had  a  favored,  and  to  us  a  refresh- 
ing meeting.  29th,  we  rode  thirty  miles,  mostly  in  a  wilder- 
ness, through  good  land.  30th,  we  continued  our  wilderness 
travel  twenty-eight  miles.  The  1st  of  Vth  month,  we  came  to 
Abraham  Lapham's ;  we  got  a  little  refreshment  and  went  to 
Caleb  Macomber's  where  we  stopped  and  got  some  rest,  for  we 
and  our  horses  were  much  fatigued.  2d  of  the  month  we  had 
a  meeting  at  Asa  Aldrich's,  in  Palmyra — a  laborious,  exercis- 
ing meeting.  I  was  led  to  show  that  one  fault-mender  was 
worth  many  fault-finders,  as  none  could  mend  a  fault,  but  those 
who   committed  the  fault,  and  while  people  were  looking  up 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  161 

others  fanlts,  they  certainly  neglected  their  own.  I  had  to 
come  to  plain  work,  and  felt  quite  comfortable  after  it.  First 
day,  3d,  we  attended  Farmington  meeting ;  this  was  also  a 
tribulating  time  to  me.  I  was  led  to  address  the  backsliders, 
who  wanted  to  be  esteemed,  and  like  Adam,  were  hidden  un- 
der a  fig-leaf  covering ;  showing  them,  that  would  not  do,  as 
also  the  eagle-eyed,  to  spy  out  others  faults  for  an  excuse  for 
the  neglect  of  their  own  duties,  showing  them  the  neglect  of 
duty  was  wrong,  and  doing  wrong  was  the  neglect  of  duty ; 
and  while  they  were  condemning  others,  they  were  acting  like 
them,  and  ranking  themselves  in  range  with  those  they  de- 
spised. This  was  not  wise.  I  was  enabled  to  open  these 
points  close  and  plain,  to  the  relief  of  my  mind.  Near  the 
close  of  this  meeting,  I  felt  drawings  towards  the  youth,  and 
appointed  a  meeting  the  4th  hour,  the  same  afternoon.  Many 
came  to  it,  and  He  that  declared  Himself  to  be  the  true  Shep- 
herd, was  pleased  to  be  in  the  midst,  and  to  break  and  bless 
the  little  with  an  abundant  increase,  so  that  there  was  enough 
and  to  spare.  And  Oh  !  that  the  dear  youth  would  gather  up 
the  fragments,  and  let  nothing  be  lost.  4th,  being  rainy,  we 
lay  by ;  5th,  had  a  meeting  in  Bristol,  among  the  Baptists,  who 
come  so  armed,  that  it  caused  a  long  silence.  At  length  my 
son-in-law  felt  authorized  to  tell  them  that  we  had  not  come  for 
battle,  nor  to  preach  any  other  doctrine,  than  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  appeared  to  all  men,  by  which  we  are 
to  be  saved,  if  we  are  saved,  and  that,  through  faith  in  the  gift, 
and  the  Giver  of  it.  This  so  settled  the  people  that  they  laid 
down  their  arms,  and  the  way  opened  for  gospel  communication, 
and  it  flowed  freely.  A  solemnity  came  over  the  meeting,  and 
it  ended  pleasantly. 

From  this,  we  returned  to  Farmington,  and  attended  their 
Hiid-week  meeting  on  the  Tth.  To  me  it  was  a  solemn  part- 
ing, feehng  my  mind  drawn  into  tender  sympathy  with  the  hon- 
est-hearted of  that  place.  May  the  Lord  be  their  helper  in 
every  needful  time !  In  the  afternoon  we  had  a  meeting  at  Pal- 
myra, among  a  people  that  was  so  much  in  the  outward,  that 


162  JOURNAL    OF 

it  was  heavy  wading  to  get  along.  The  next  meeting  was  at 
Junius,  on  the  9th.  Here  was  a  small  settlement  of  Friends, 
some  of  them  under  a  good  exercise,  to  whom  the  language  of 
encouragement  flowed  freely.  After  the  meeting,  we  rode 
twenty-two  miles,  to  Scipio,  and  on  first  day,  the  10th,  attend- 
ed that  meeting.  In  it  I  hurt  my  testimony  by  making  an 
apology  to  soften  the  matter,  and  soon  discovered  I  had  weak- 
ened my  hands.  After  the  meeting  an  Elder — after  making  a 
long  apology — ^remarked  to  me,  that  the  Truth  did  not  need  an 
apology,  and  he  thought  a  great  porch  and  a  little  house  did 
not  look  well ;  and  if  I  saw  anything  in  him,  he  was  as  willing 
to  receive  as  to  give.  I  told  him  I  had  nothing,  only  he  had 
chastised  me  for  an  apology  in  a  good  work,  and  I  thought  he 
was  in  as  good  a  work,  and  had  made  as  long  an  apology, 
which  I  thought  did  not  come  out  right,  for  there  was  no  more 
need  in  one  case  than  the  other.  So  we  parted,  and  I  hope  we 
both  learned  a  good  lesson.  We  had  another  meeting  in  the 
afternoon,  in  which  I  had  close  work,  but  I  took  care  not  to 
make  an  apology.  11th,  had  a  meeting  at  Calvin  Tupper's,  a 
favored  time.  Truth  broke  in  on  some  minds,  like  the  break- 
ing in  of  mighty  waters.  After  it,  we  rode  to  Sempronius,  and 
had  a  meeting  there  on  the  12th.  The  people  were  mostly  not 
Friends.  I  sat  a  long  time  in  this  meeting,  under  such  a  dark 
cloud  of  distress,  that  it  seemed  almost  insupportable.  I  cried 
in  my  agony,  "  0  Lord !  what  have  I  done  amiss  ?  show  it  to 
me  and  purify  me,  until  I  am  acceptable  in  thy  sight ;  "  and  in 
deep  prostration  of  spirit  I  lay  low.  In  this  condition,  a  lan- 
guage saluted  the  ear  of  my  soul,  remarkably  clear  and  forcible ; 
"  How  shall  the  dead  be  raised — or  thou  be  qualified  to  speak 
feelingly  and  efi'ectually  to  their  conditions,  if  thou  art  not  bap^ 
tized  for  the  dead,  and  feel  the  weight  of  distress  that  is  on 
them?  Or  how  canst  thou  pray  for  them  fervently,  without 
feeling  their  distress  and  their  wants  ?  "  This  was  a  good,  prof- 
itable, and  instructive  time  to  me.  After  passing  through  this, 
I  felt  a  lively  motion  to  rise  on  my  feet,  and  set  forth  in  a  clear, 
lively  manner  the  tender  mercies  of  the  Lord,  in  often  calling 


JOSEPH  HOAG,  163 

upon,  and  long  waiting  upon  the  children  of  men,  for  their  re- 
turn to  Him ;  also  the  nature  of  spiritual  worship,  and  what 
qualified  therefor,  and  the  great  loss  sustained  by  all  who  do 
not  believe  the  Truth  and  neglect  these  things.  It  was  a 
memorable  time  to  me,  and  may  the  Lord  be  pleased  to  make 
it  so  to  the  people,  to  the  everlasting  praise  of  His  own  name ! 

The  13th,  we  rode  to  Pe  Ruyter,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on 
the  14th,  to  good  satisfaction.  15th,  we  rode  to  Brothertown, 
and  went  to  John  Dean's,  an  old  acquaintance  of  mine ;  we 
were  glad  to  meet  once  more.  Friends  living  very  scattered,  it 
was  thought  best  to  lay  by  on  the  16th.  First  day,  lYth,  we 
attended  their  meeting.  It  was  large  for  that  place.  Several 
of  them  came  sixteen  and  eighteen  miles  to  meeting.  It  was 
pleasant  being  with  them,  on  account  of  their  lively  concern 
for  the  testimony  of  Truth.  We  had  another  meeting  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  day,  with  the  Indian  natives;  we  found  a  very 
open,  cordial  reception  among  them.  18th,  we  went  to  Wes- 
ton, and  had  a  meeting  there  on  the  19th.  Here  I  was  led  to 
feel  much  for  those  who  were  disposed  to  halt,  and  question 
the  way  of  Truth,  instead  of  coming  up  in  the  pointings  of 
duty,  which  they  already  know,  and  so  avoid  the  cross  of 
Christ ;  and  thus  deprive  themselves  of  a  growth  in  experience 
and  knowledge  of  the  mystery  of  Truth,  and  the  comfort  aris- 
ing therefrom ;  thus  endangering  the  loss  of  the  crown.  A 
sense  of  these  things  gave  me  pain  and  sorrow  of  heart,  and  I  felt 
pity  for  them. 

The  20th,  rode  all  day.  21st,  we  got  among  Friends  in 
Mayfield,  and  had  a  meeting  with  them.  2 2d,  had  another 
meeting  at  Abraham  Wood's.  23d,  was  at  Northampton,  and 
had  a  meeting  there.  Not  feeling  clear  of  Mayfield,  we  stopped 
to  their  first  day  meeting,  the  24th.  Here,  my  good  Master 
opened  the  door  of  utterance,  furnished  with  matter,  and  gave 
ability  fully  to  clear  my  mind,  so  that  I  felt  relieved,  and  clear 
of  this  part  of  the  country,  where  I  had  to  wade  under  deep 
exercise  from  meeting  to  meeting,  with  much  ardent  labor.  To 
me  it  was  a  joyfiil  release,  and  an  humbling,  tendering  time  to 


164  JOURNAL    OF 

the  upright  in  heart.  At  5  o'clock  we  had  a  precious,  go.od 
meeting  at  Providence.  25th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Galway. 
Here,  I  had  to  call  on  those  who  were  at  ease  in  Zion,  and 
couched  on  their  beds  of  ivory,  and  to  blow  the  trumpet  of 
alarm  amongst  them. 

From  here  we  went  to  Ballston,  and  all  our  little  company 
felt  very  much  distressed  in  coming  into  the  place,  which  con- 
tinued with  us.  Third  day,  we  attended  that  meeting.  General 
notice  being  given,  there  came  in  many  who  were  not  Friends. 
We  sat  silent  the  usual  time  of  holding  a  meeting,  when  I  in- 
formed the  people,  we  had  requested  their  attention,  and  were 
glad  of  their  company ;  that  their  solid  deportment  was  grate- 
ful to  our  feelings  ;  but  as  the  Lord  had  not  given  anything  to 
communicate,  we  felt  it  not  safe  to  undertake  to  preach,  with- 
out His  help  and  direction ;  lest  we  run  when  we  are  not  sent, 
and  that  would  not  profit  the  people.  Therefore,  we  believed 
it  best  to  be  resigned  to  the  Lord's  will,  who  always  knows 
what  is  best  for  us,  and  He  would  do  right.  I  then  informed 
the  people  that  I  wanted  an  interview  with  mj  Friends,  and  if 
they  were  willing  to  retire,  it  would  be  grateful  to  my  feelings. 
They  rose  up  with  pleasant  countenances  and  went  out  very 
quietly.  I  afterwards  heard  they  were  well  satisfied.  We  had 
not  sat  long  by  ourselves,  before  I  had  to  address  them  in  this 
language  :  "  In  the  foregoing  meeting,  this  was  presented,  and 
it  still  remains  with  me :  *  There  is  death  in  the  pot,  and  bitter 
gourds  put  therein,  by  those  whose  business  it  was  to  provide 
wholesome  food  for  the  needy  and  sickly ;  having  no  Elisha 
among  you  to  direct  what  to  do,  nor  meal  to  put  into  the  pot 
to  take  away  the  bitter,  neither  had  it  been  sought  for ;  there- 
fore death  remains  in  the  pot.' "  After  clearing  my  mind,  I  got 
away  as  soon  as  I  could,  but  felt  great  satisfaction  in  being 
faithful.  A  while  after,  I  was  informed  that  there  could  be 
nothing  more  appropriate,  and  at  that  time  there  was  an  Elder 
in  that  meeting  who  had  so  conducted,  as  to  get  the  meeting 
into  an  unsettled  and  divided  state,  so  that  their  neighbors 
would  not  meet  with  them ;  and  they  could  do  nothing  with 


JOSfiPH  HOAG.  165 

him,  short  of  dismissing  Mm  from  his  station,  and  disowning 
him  from  Society.  Then  the  conftision  settled  away,  and 
things  returned  to  their  former  quiet  channel. 

From  here  we  went  to  Troy,  and  attended  their  fore  and  af- 
ternoon meetings  on  First-day,  31st.  In  both,  we  had  good 
service,  and  were  well  accepted  by  our  Friends.  After  the  last 
meeting,  my  master  took  off  the  harness,  and  showed  me  that 
I  might  go  home.  Accordingly,  we  set  out  early  on  second- 
day  morning,  and  rode  several  miles  without  much  discourse. 
Observing  that  Nathaniel  and  Valentine  rode  with  their  heads 
down,  it  came  lively  into  my  mind  to  ride  up  to  Nathaniel  and 
relate  a  fable  that  I  had  fallen  in  with ;  so  I  said  to  Nathaniel, 
I  have  concluded  to  go  home  like  the  old  jay-bird.  He  said, 
"What  does  thee  mean  ?"  I  then  remarked,  that  among  the 
fables,  it  was  stated  that  the  jay-bird  took  a  feather  from  every 
bird,  and  plumed  herself  with  them.  Then  she  was  the  finest 
bird  in  the  woods.  At  length  the  birds  discovered  how  it 
was ;  each  came,  claimed,  and  took  its  own  feather.  She  look- 
ed on  herself  and  exclaimed,  "I  am  the  poor  old  jay-bird."  I 
said,  "I  am  going  home,  the  old  jay-bird.  The  good  Master 
has  harnessed,  and  plumed  us  in  this  journey,  and  has  now  ta- 
ken it  off ;  therefore  it  was  best  for  He  and  I  to  be  contented 
with  it,  and  go  home,  the  old  jay-bird.  For  the  Master  had  a 
r^ht  to  do  it,  being  the  rightful  owner  of  the  plumage,  and 
now  it  is  best  for  us  to  go  home  and  do  as  well  as  we  can." 
He  replied,  "This  will  do.  I  have  thought  a  good  many  times 
since  we  have  been  out,  feeling  what  I  have,  and  seeing  so 
many  clear  proofs  of  its  being  right  that  we  are  out  in  this 
work,  that  I  have  concluded,  if  I  live  to  get  home,  I  will  live 
as  I  ought,  and  do  better  than  I  ever  have  done.  But  since 
leaving  Troy,  I  have  felt  so  poor  and  stripped,  I  did  not  know 
what  to  think."  I  then  remarked,  that  "Mordecai  did  not  give 
out  after  riding  the  king's  horse  because  the  royal  robe  was 
taken  off,  but  quietly  went  and  put  on  his  sackcloth,  and  wait- 
ed at  the  king's  gate  ;  and  by  that  means  was  found  worthy  to 
be  promoted  to  greater  honor.     And  so  it  might  be  with  him 


166  JOURNAL    OP 

and  me,  if  we  did  riglit."  The  discourse  ended,  with  his  con- 
cluding to  do  right ;  but,  poor  man  !  he  has  fallen  further  into 
the  dark  than  he  was  before.  We  continued  on  our  way- 
homeward,  and  when  arrived  there,  found  all  our  families  well, 
to  our  mutual  joy. 

After  returning  home  from  my  long  Eastern  journey,  I  re- 
mained about  home  most  of  the  time  for  several  years,  being 
often  confined  with  sickness ;  yet  I  made  several  visits  within  my 
own  and  neighboring  Quarterly  Meetings.  Of  these  visits  I 
find  no  correct  minutes.  I  have  lost  the  date  of  the  year,  and 
considerable  of  the  minutes  of  one  long  journey ;  so  that  I  can 
do  no  better  than  relate,  what  clearly  occurs  to  my  memory. 

I  set  out  late  in  the  Fall  of  the  year ;  went  to  Queen  sbury, 
took  that  meeting,  Saratoga,  Milton,  Greenfield,  Galway,  and 
several  other  meetings.  From  this  part  I  went  to  Cherry  Val- 
ley, with  having,  I  think,  one  or  two  meetings  on  the  way. 
From  Cherry  Valley,  we  commenced  having  meetings  for  the 
most  part,  as  often  as  one  a  day,  for,  I  think,  two  months ;  and 
having  got  into  the  edge  of  Pennsylvania,  and  almost  beyond 
civilization,  I  felt  easy  to  turn  about.  In  this  part  of  the  visit, 
we  met  with  great  openness,  and  kind  reception  with  the  people. 

On  our  return  to  the  older  settlements,  we  stopped  at  a  tav- 
ern where  two  men  had  just  entered  into  a  warm  dispute  rela- 
tive to  the  Indians.  They  ran  so  high  in  argument,  that  one 
asserted  they  were  savages,  and  ought  to  be  cut  off"  from  the 
face  of  the  earth ;  that  they  were  worse  than  the  beasts,  and 
had  no  souls.  The  other  argued  that  they  were  of  the  human 
family,  possessing  all  the  feelings  of  sensibility  that  we  have, 
and  that  they  were  as  capable  of  being  improved  as  we  were. 
"When  they  had  tired  themselves,  they  turned  to  a  plain,  gen- 
teel looking  man,  and  asked  his  opinion  on  the  subject,  who 
answered  thus :  "There  has  lately  been  a  missionary  out  on  a 
visit  to  a  tribe  of  Indians,  that  never  had  been  visited  by  a 
Christian  minister  before,  who  preached  to  them  four  times. 
At  length,  he  took  up  the  subject  of  the  conception,  birth,  life, 
miracles,  ministry,  crucifixion,  resurrection,  and  ascension  of 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  167 

our  Savior,  in  one  sermon.  He  stated  that  all  his  other  ser- 
mons were  well  received ;  but,  after  this  meeting — as  is  their 
universal  custom  when  they  hear  preaching  they  do  not  under- 
stand or  beheve,  they  call  a  council,  and  agi-ee  what  answer  to 
give  the  minister,  and  if  they  do  not  approve,  they  hear  him 
no  more — they  called  a  council,  but  could  not  altogether 
agree  in  belief ;  so  they  put  it  on  one  of  their  chief  speakers  to 
give  the  minister  an  answer.  The  Indian  said,  'Well,  then  me 
go  into  the  woods,'  and  retired  about  four  hours.  When  he 
returned,  the  Indians  gathered  about  him,  and  said,  'Well, 
what  you  think  ?'  He  replied,  '0,  minister  preach  true,  cer- 
tain.' One  exclaimed,  'Minister  no  preach  true ;  a  man  hang 
up  till  he  is  dead,  a  great  hole  cut  in  his  side,  all  the  blood,  all 
the  water  run  out ;  he  no  live  certain.'  Then  the  chief  speaker 
began.  'Now  you  hear  me ;  me  tell  you.  The  Great  Spirit 
speak  all  things ;  He  make  all  the  people ;  they  all  His  chil- 
dren ;  He  love  them  all ;  He  tell  them  to  love  one  another,  and 
do  good  to  one  another.  But  some  of  His  children,  by  and  by, 
grow  bad ;  they  quarrel ;  they  cheat ;  they  tell  lies ;  they  make 
some  of  the  rest  of  his  children  do  bad.  The  Great  Spirit  see 
it ;  He  sorry ;  He  speak  to  them ;  they  no  mind  Him ;  He 
speak  to  them  again ;  they  no  mind  Him.  He  see  they  grow 
very  wicked ;  He  much  sorry ;  then  Great  Spirit  think,  think, 
think.  He  say,  'Well,  Me  send  my  son ;  they  mind  Him.' 
He  know  his  son  must  have  body,  or  they  no  see  Him.  He 
look  all  over  among  the  women  ;  He  see  one  very  good  wo- 
man, purer  than  all  the  rest.  Now  you  hear  ;  you  mark  and 
remember;  the  Great  Spirit  speak  a  body  in  that  woman. 
When  that  body  came  into  the  world,  and  grow  big  enough, 
He  fill  that  body  full  of  He-self.  That  His  son.  Now  you 
hear,  mark  well,  remember.  You  know  the  Great  Spirit  speak 
all  things ;  He  speak  cold  weather ;  that  may  come  great  deal 
snow,  great  deal  ice.  No  snow,  no  ice  in  warm  weather ;  all 
water  then.  So  Great  Spirit  speak  warm  weather  again  ;  and 
that  make  all  the  snow,  all  the  ice  back  to  water  again.  Now, 
you  remember  that  me  tell  you,  the  Great  Spirit  send  His  son  j 


168  JOURNAL    OF 

He  came ;  He  do  much  good ;  cure  the  sick ;  He  make  blind 
folks  see  ;  He  make  lame  folks  walk ;  and  He  make  some  dead 
folks  live.  His  good  children  much  glad,  they  mind  Him; 
His  bad  children  no  mind  Him.  He  speak  to  them ;  He  tell 
them  they  no  mind  Him.  He  then  speak  strong,  very  strong. 
That  make  them  very  mad.  They  get  together ;  they  catch 
Him;  they  kill  Him.  The  Great  Spirit  see  it.  The  Great 
Spirit  much  sorry  to  see  His  children  so  wicked.  Now,  you 
remember ;  the  Great  Spirit  speak  that  body ;  He  no  lose  that 
body ;  He  speak  that  body  to  life  again ;  He  call  His  son  home. 
That  body,  spirit  before  He  came  into  the  world ;  that  body 
spirit  now.  The  minister  preach  true,  certain.' "  Here,  he 
stopped,  with  this  observation:  "Now,  gentlemen,  you  may 
judge  for  yourselves,"  got  up  and  went  off.  I  w^as  sorry  that  I 
had  not  detained  him  a  little,  to  know  who,  and  what  he  was ; 
but  my  mind  was  in  such  a  muse  on  the  subject,  that  I  did  not 
re-collect  myself  until  he  was  gone ;  and  I  can  say  no  more,  than 
that  he  appeared  to  be  a  sensible  candid  man — and  was  very 
likely  a  Methodist  Missionary. 

From  this  western  travel,  we  put  forward  to  Brothertown, 
where  we  found  a  few  Friends ;  some  Hving  with  the  Indians, 
and  had  several  meetings  thereabouts,  to  good  satisfaction. 
Then,  passed  on,  taking  all  the  settlements  of  Friends  on  the 
west  side  of  the  North  Eiver  as  we  traveled  southward  ;  having 
many  meetings  among  those  not  of  our  society,  where  we  met 
with  open  doors  and  kind  reception. 

In  Unadilla,  I  was  attacked  by  a  Presbyterian  deacon,  almost 
as  quiek  as  I  sat  down  after  speaking,  who  tried  hard  to  get 
into  an  argument.  Thinking  there  was  not  much  good  to  be 
got  by  it,  I  endeavored  to  bring  the  business  to  short,  plaiu 
work.  After  altercating  the  matter  a  little,  I  brought  him  to 
agree,  that  what  could  not  be  proved  by  Scripture,  should  be 
rejected.  He  strove  to  open  the  subject  of  unconditional  elec- 
tion ;  but  I  thought  it  not  best,  as  we  had  had  a  favored  meet- 
ing, and  the  minds  of  the  people  appeared  sober.  I  asked 
hmi,  "By  what  are  we  to  be  saved  ;  by  works  ?"    He  answer- 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  169 

ed,  "No."  I  then  asked  him,  "Are  we  to  be  saved  by  faith 
alone  f  He  answered,  "No."  I  then  asked  him,  "By  what 
are  we  to  be  saved ;  is  it  by  grace  through  faith,  and  that  not 
of  ourselves?"  He  answered,  "Yes."  I  then  replied,  "The 
Grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation,  the  Apostle  tells  us,  hath 
appeared  unto  all  men ;  and  remarked,  that  there  are  no  more 
in  number  than  all\  therefore  there  were  none  overlooked, 
and  that  His  grace  did  not  appear  as  an  outward  object  to  the 
natural  eye,  but  in  man  in  its  own  power  of  manifestation." 
To  this  he  agreed.  I  then  replied,  "If  it  appeared  in  man,  it 
was  certainly  put  within  his  reach,  and  he  could  lay  hold  of  it; 
and  thou  wilt  not  deny  that  the  grace  of  God,  is  over  all  the 
power  of  the  devil."  He  answered,  "It  is."  I  then  remarked, 
"If  this  is  so,  as  thou  acknowledges,  were  all  mankind  to  lay 
hold  of  this  grace,  and  believe  in  it,  it  would  teach  them  the 
same  thing — to  deny  all  ungodliness,  the  world's  lusts,  to  live 
soberly,  and  to  do  right  in  all  things.  So  thou  seest  we  should 
all  be  engaged  in  the  one  concern  ;  eyeing  the  same  thing,  and 
walking  by  the  same  rule.  Now,  what  room  would  there  be 
for  division  among  the  people,  or  occasion  for  disputes  ?" 

This  so  confused  the  deacon,  that  }ie  stood  some  time  silent. 
The  people  all  sat  quiet,  till  the  subject  was  brought  to  a 
close,  when  several  spoke  to  this  effect :  Tlie  stranger  reasons 
fairly ;  it  is  good,  sound  doctrine,  and  you  ought  not  to  crowd 
upon  him.  Here  it  ended,  and  I  was  truly  glad  to  get  through, 
without  having  the  people's  minds  jostled,  or  drawn  from  un- 
der the  solemnity  that  was  over  the  meeting,  which  was  the 
object  aimed  at,  and  through  mercy,  attained.  It  is  not  desir- 
able after  a  solid  meeting,  to  get  into  a  discussion  upon  what 
has  been  said,  but  many  artfal  sectarians  will  seek  to  do  it,  I 
have  thought,  purposely  to  divert  the  attention  of  the  people" 
from  what  they  have  heard  and  felt.  ^^ 

We  passed  on,  having  meetings  where  way  opened  for  it,~ 
until  we  got  to  Otego  ;  there  was  a  settlement  of  Friends.  We 
had  several  meetings  thereabouts.  At  one  of  them,  were  peo- 
ple of  different  persuasions ;  amongst  the  rest,  a  deacon ;  and 
U 


170  JOURNAL    01* 

in  our  company,  we  had  a  young  woman  a  preaclaer,"  who,  in 
the  early  part  of  the  meeting  gave  us  a  short,  hvely  discourse. 
The  deacon  arose  quickly,  and  reproved  us  for  suffering  a  wo* 
man  to  preach.  When  he  was  through,  I  asked  him  to  bo 
quiet  until  the  meeting  ended,  and  then  we  would  answer  to  that. 
He  remained  quiet  until  near  the  close  of  the  meeting,  when 
the  woman  Friend  kneeled.  After  the  prayer  ended — in  which 
she  was  favored — the  deacon  arose  and  tantalized  her  for  pre- 
suming to  pray  when  there  was  a  man  Minister  by,  whose  duty 
it  was  to  do  that  service.  He  laid  women  very  low.  By  this 
time  I  felt  my  niind  well  harnessed  for  the  occasion.  I  took 
up  the  subject  in  a  calm,  pleasant  way,  beginning  with  the 
promises,  and  went  through  the  Prophets,  Christ  being  born 
of  a  woman,  Christ  sending  women  to  preach  His  resurrection, 
Paul's  recommending  Phebe  and  other  women,  as  fellow  labor- 
ers in  the  Gospel,  and  lastly,  Paul's  teaching  women  how  they 
should  behave  when  they  prayed  or  prophesied.  When  the 
subject  was  closed,  the  people  appeared  more  solid  than  in  any 
other  part  of  the  meeting,  and  acknowledged  their  satisfaction 
with  the  reasons  and  meeting  ;  so  that  the  Lord  disappointed 
the  device  of  the  crafty,  and  turned  their  folly  on  their  own 
heads. 

I  think,  from  here,  we  passed  on  to  Oakhill,  taking  meetings 
on  our  way.  Thereabouts  I  felt  drawings  to  have  some  meet- 
ings with  those  not  Friends.  At  one  of  these,  their  Priest 
came.  I  was  led  to  show,  that  God,  by,  and  through  Jesus 
Christ,  had  provided  means  in  the  gift  of  grace,  and  pouring 
oiit  of  His  spirit  upon  the  children  of  men,  and  to  show,  if  they 
believed  in  it,  and  walked  in  it,  and  through  the  Spirit,  morti- 
fied the  deeds  of  the  flesh,  that  this  Spirit  and  grace  of  God 
would  enable  them  to  live  without  sinning,  in  word,  thought,  or 
deed ;  and  that  this  was  the  perfection  we  believed  in,  and 
sought  to  go  on  to,  quoting  many  of  Paul's  sayings  in  confir- 
mation ;  and  I  was  led  to  show  that  Paul,  in  walking  by  this 
rule,  overcame  the  world,  fought  the  good  fight,  kept  the  faith, 
and  obtained  an  evidence  that  there  was  a  crown  laid  up  for 


^  JOSEPH   HO AG.  171 

him  in  heaven,  and  not  for  him  only,  but  for  all  those  who  love 
the  appearance  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  with  this  I  closed. 
Their  Minister  rose  quickly,  and  with  a  warm  tone  of  voice  ex- 
claimed, that  he  had  labored  among  them,  by  night,  and  by 
day,  and  had  gone  with  his  life  in  his  hand,  to  gather  a  little 
flock;  and  now,  when  the  wolf  came  he  thought  it  his  duty  to 
come  and  guard  his  flock,  and  that  what  they  had  heard  was 
false,  for  there  never  was  a  man,  who  lived  a  day  without  com- 
mitting sin  enough  to  damn  him ;  forgetting,  that  by  such  as- 
sertions, he  made  God  unjust.  He  carried  the  matter  so  far,  as 
to  assert  that  Paul  lived  a  sinner  all  his  days  and  died  a  sinner, 
excepting  only  his  hope  in  the  mercy  of  Christ.  With  this  asser- 
tion he  sat  down,  and  I  made  a  few  short,  plain  remarks  on  the 
several  points  to  which  he  had  objected.  I  then  turned  to  the 
people,  and  reminded  them  that  I  had  not  come  there  to  invite 
them  to  be  Quakers,  but  to  call  them  to  Christ,  and  to  the  word 
of  His  grace,  which  the  Apostle  said  would  build  us  up  in  the 
most  holy  faith,  and  give  an  inheritance  among  the  sanctified ; 
and  the  people  could  judge,  if  to  preach  Christ,  and  to  recom- 
mend to  the  word  of  His  grace,  was  false  doctrine ;  seeing  I 
had  the  Apostle  with  me  in  sentiment  and  practice,  and  as  to 
the  Apostle's  living  and  dying  a  sinner,  they  might  judge ; 
querying,  which  knew  best — Paul,  who  had  left  his  experience 
on  record,  or  this  man  who  had  come  into  being  almost  two 
thousand  years  afterwards — seeing  there  was  a  flat  contradiction 
between  them.  I  then  sat  down  and  waited  a  little ;  no  re- 
ply being  made  I  acknowledged  the  civility  of  the  people,  and 
closed  the  meeting;  but  the  hearts-of  the  people  were  moved ; 
they  reprobated  their  priest's  conduct,  and  urged  me  to  stop 
and  preach  for  them  again ;  but  I  was  glad  to  get  awky  from 
them  as  easily  as  I  could,  and  could  but  rejoice  that  the  Lord 
returned  the  priest's  venom  on  his  own  head,  and  caused  it  to 
^  work  more  to  the  settling  of  the  people  in  the  belief  of  what 
they  had  heard,  than  otherwise  would  have  been,  had  he 
been  peaceable. 

I  went  on,  taking  Friend's  meetings,  and  had  a  number  with 


172  JOURNAL    OF 

other  people  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson  river  to  New  York, 
and  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  through.  After  it  I  went  to 
West  Chester,  and,  having  spent  all  my  pocket-money,  I  con- 
cluded I  must  go  home  with  my  prospect  unfinished.  At  eve- 
ning a  Friend  came  in  where  I  was,  who  took  me  by  the  hand, 
and  left  a  ten  dollar  bill  with  me,  saying,  "  Take  it,  thou  hast 
need  of  it,"  and  went  out.  I  knew  I  had  not  told  any  one  ray 
situation,  and  all  excuse  being  out  of  the  way,  I  had  to  give 
up,  and  finish  my  visit.  After  attending  West  Chester  meet- 
ing, I  went  into  Connecticut,  and  visited  all  the  meetings  of 
Friends  in  that  State,  west  of  the  Connecticut  river,  and  had  a 
number  with  the  Presbyterians  and  Baptists,  where  I  found  la- 
borious getting  along.  They  were  very  much  afraid  of  having 
their  old  castle  shaken,  but  ray  good  Master  favored  with 
strength  and  utterance,  so  that  when  I  got  through  I  felt  well 
relieved.  Keturningto  Nine  Partners,  I  visited  several  raeetings 
thereabouts,  and  took  some  on  my  way  home,  where  I  arrived 
after  an  absence  of  more  than  seven  months,  found  my  family 
and  friends  generally  well,  and  felt  my  mind  richly  rewarded 
with  the  enjoyment  of  peace. 

I  have  but  a  part  of  the  account  of  ray  next  journey,  the 
date  being  lost,*  and  ray  recollection  not  retaining  the  particu- 
lars with  correctness,  until  I  was  in  and  about  New  York,  where  I 
met  with  kind  reception. 

When  on  Long  Island,  after  having  several  raeetings  with 
Friends,  I  felt  forcibly  arrested  to  have  several  meetings  with 
those  not  of  our  society.  This  prospect  was  not  favored  by 
the  Hickses ;  though  they  did  not  forbid  it,  they  held  back,  so 
that  I  could  get  no  company  or  assistance.  I  concluded  that  it 
was  in  vain  to  run  against  wind  and  tide,  so  turned  my  atten- 
tion for  home,  and  rode  to  Danby,  more  than  two  hundred 
miles,  and  there  was  taken  very  sick,  confined  I  think, 
nearly  three  days,  and  thought  of  calling  on  a  doctor,  but  ray 
Master  told  me,  if  I  would  go  back  through  Connecticut  and 

*It  appears  by  the  records  of  his  Montlily  Meeting,  that  he  was  hher- 
ated  to  perform  this  visit  in  the  9th  month,  1809. 


JOSEPH    HOAG. 


173 


pay  up  the  arrearage  of  the  other  visit  there,  and  go  on  Long 
Island,  and  do  His  will,  He  would  cure  me  without  a  doctor. 
I  thought  of  it  awhile  and  promised  my  Master  if  He  would  go 
with  me,  and  show  me  "plainly  what  He  wanted,  I  would  go,  if 
it  was  through  fire  and  water.  In  a  few  hours  I  was  well  and 
able  to  ride,  and  turning  about  rode  to  Nine  Partners,  and  took 
a  Friend,  a  bold  man,  and  went  into  Connecticut.  Had  a 
meeting  or  two  on  the  way  to  West  Hartford,  where  I  called 
on  Thomas  Rotch  and  wife,  and  told  them  I  had  come  back  to 
give  up  that  concern  to  them  to  look  to.  I  had  intended  when 
there  before,  to  have  a  meeting  in  Hartford  town,  but  they 
were  so  loath  I  should  appoint  a  meeting  there,  that  I  gave  it  up 
and  it  had  remained  with  me  ever  since  ;  now  I  resigned  it  to 
them  and  Friends  of  that  place.  Tliey  would  not  take  it  from 
me,  but  chose  to  appoint  a  meeting.  Thomas  and  his  wife  at- 
tended it.  After  meeting,  Friends  let  me  know  that  if  I  want- 
ed any  more  meetings  in  the  town,  the  way  was  open  for  them. 
I  informed  them  I  desired  not  to  do  anything  more  than  my 
Master  bid  me,  nor  to  run  without  His  command.  I  then 
went  to  New  Milford,  and  attended  Friends'  meeting.  There 
I  parted  with  my  companion,  took  another  Friend,  attended  a 
little  meeting  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  state,  and  taking  a 
Friend,  from  there,  went  on  the  Island  among  those  not  Friends. 
I  did  not  go  near  Friends  until  I  had  got  through  all  the  meet- 
ings I  wanted  with  other  people.  My  great  and  good  Master 
favored  and  helped  me  through  all  in  a  wonderful  manner. 
Honored  and*  adored,  forever,  be  His  holy  name ! 

There  is  one  event  I  think  best  to  note.  The  second  meet- 
ing I  appointed,  after  getting  on  the  Island,  was  among  the 
Presbyterians,  near  their  meeting-house,  in  a  school  house  that 
we  obtained  liberty  to  have  for  the  purpose.  Shortly  after  the 
people  were  notified  of  the  appointment,  the  priest  of  that 
place  came  to  the  Inn  where  I  was,  and  about  ten  or  twelve 
with  him,  and  attacked  me.  We  soon  got  on  the  subject  of 
election  and  reprobation ;  he  being  very  full  of  talk  would  give 
but  little  chance  to  hear,  and  if  I  attempted  to  speak,  he  would 


174  JOURNAL    OF 

break  upon  me  with  this  assertion,  "  I  came  to  convince  you, 
I  can  convince  you,  and  I  will  convince  you,"  and  if  I  men- 
tioned any  text  of  Scripture,  he  would  reply,  "  you  could  not 
pick  a  better  text  for  me,"  and  would  go  on  and  put  his  own 
construction  upon  it,  going  his  round  over  ag^in,  so  that  I  saw 
it  was  in  vain  to  attempt  to  reason  with  him,  as  he  was  deter- 
mined to  havo  all  the  talk.  I  sat  silent  until  he  had  somewhat 
emptied  his  fund,  and  then  said,  "  Wilt  thou  answer  me  a  few 
plain,  simple  questions,  right  to  the  point  ? "  He  said,  "  I  will." 
I  then  queried,  "  Art  thou  sound  and  unshaken  in  thy  own 
principles  ? "  He  answered,  "  Yes."  I  then  asked  if  he  be- 
lieved that  everything  that  took  place  to  the  smallest  iota,  was 
fore-ordained  ?  He  answered,  "  Yes."  I  then  remarked,  "  If 
thou  wilt  hear  me  a  few  minutes,  we  will  decide  this  dispute  on 
thy  own  ground.  If  all  this  is  so,  I  was  fore-ordained  to  be  a 
Quaker  many  thousand  years  before  I  was  born,  and  to  be  just 
such  an  one  as  I  am,  and  to  have  the  disposition  I  have,  which 
is  to  make  thy  principles  look  ragged,  and  I  am  doing  the  will 
of  God,  and  can  do  no  otherwise,  and  thou  dost  not  know  but  that 
I  am  one  of  the  elect  for  happiness ;  and  this  is  not  all,  if  these 
things  are  so,  it  was  fore-ordained  that  I  should  come  here  and 
appoint  a  meeting  in  this  place,  and  that  thou  shouldst  not  like 
it,  but  shouldst  come  here  to  convince  me,  saying  thou  couldst 
do  it  and  wouldst ;  also  that  it  was  fore-ordained  that  thou 
shouldst  not  convince  me,  for  if  anything,  I  feel  stronger  in  my 
principles  than  before,  and  of  course  it  was  fore-ordained  that 
thou  shouldst  labor  in  vain."  f.  then  said,  "  Is  it  not  just  so  ?  " 
He  sat  mute  for  awhile.  I  again  queried,  "  Is  it  not  just  so  ?  " 
now  answer  me  to  the  point.  He  answered,  "  I  suppose  it  is." 
When  this  came,  his  company  went  out  at  the  door  like  a  flock 
of  sheep,  and  he  followed  them.  Thus  I  was  released,  and  felt 
bound  gratefully  to  acknowledge  the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  in 
opening  a  short,  plain  way  to  confound  their  false  doctrine,  and 
silence  the  boasting  tongue. 

After  getting  through  this  meeting  with  others  to  my  satis- 
faction, I  went  to  Fry  Willis'  and  released  the  Friend  who  had 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  175 

been  with  me,  as  lie  was  desirous  to  go  home.  I  rested 
awhile,  then  visited  the  rest  of  the  meetings,  and  felt  at  liberty 
to  go  home,  not  having  met  with  any  opposition  now,  though 
I  went  among  the  Hickses  ;  they  were  very  smooth  to  me,  so  I 
parted  with  them,  and  set  forward  for  home,  after  spending 
near  five  months  away  from  my  family ;  one  month  and  a  half 
longer,  I  think,  than  I  need  to  have  done,  if  I  had  not  been  in- 
terrupted. 


CHAPTER  YL 

In  the  year  ]812,  having  for  a  long  time  had  a  prospect  of  a 
religious  visit  to  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting,  and  to  the  set- 
tlements of  Friends  in  the  Southern  States  generally,  and  now 
feeling  the  concern  weightily  to  increase  upon  my  mind,  I  laid 
it  before  my  friends,  and  obtained  their  unity  and  certificate. 

I  set  out  30th  of  10th  month,  having  Weston  Macomber  for 
a  companion.  Had  a  meeting  at  Waybridge,  and  went  to  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  at  Danby ;  after  the  Quarter  had  a  meeting 
in  Dorset,  amongst  the  Presbyterians,  much  more  favorable 
than  I  expected.  First-day,  8th  of  11th  month,  attended  meet- 
ing at  Granville,  which  was  large  and  much  favored;  went 
next  to  Easton  Quarter,  and  attended  that  meeting,  where  I 
had  good  service ;  next  to  Saratoga^  and  had  a  large  good 
meeting;  then  to  Queensbury,  and  attended  that  meeting, 
first-day  15th;  from  thence  to  Greenfield,  Milton  and  Gal  way, 
where  we  attended  a  Monthly  Meeting  on  the  18th.  19thy 
started  for  Duanesburgh ;  20th  had  a  meeting  there  ;  21st,  had 
one  at  Berne,  and  went  next  to  Stanton  Hill,  and  attended  a 
meeting  there.  We  then  set  forward  and  drove  seventy-two 
miles  in  two  days,  and  reached  Tristam  RusselFs,  in  Newburg 
Valley,  and  attended  their  Monthly  Meeting  next  day.  Tho 
day  following  traveled  sixteen  miles  and  attended  Cornwall 
Monthly  Meeting ;  after  this,  we  stopped  at  Smith's  Clove,  and 
had  a  meeting ;  from  thence  to  Hard  wick,  Sussex  County,  New 
Jersey,  fifty-three  miles,  arrived  on  seventh-day  evening,  and 
attended  that  meeting  on  first-day,  29th.  30th,  we  had  a 
meeting  at  the  same  house.  Finding  my  mind  clear  of  that 
place,  1st  of  12th  month,  we  rode  to  Kingwood ;  2d,  to  Buck- 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  IVT 

ingham,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  arrived  just  before  their  Prepar- 
ative Meeting  broke  up.  3d  of  the  month,  we  reached  Phila- 
delphia, and  made  our  home  with  Thomas  Scattergood.  Hav- 
ing met  with  an  accident  by  a  hurricane,  which  rent  our  car- 
riage top  to  pieces,  we  had  to  stop  here  to  get  it  repaired,  and 
were  detained  till  first-day.  This  crossed  my  inclination,  as  I 
did  not  want  to  stop  in  the  city  until  I  returned ;  but  I  had  to 
submit.  When  first -day  came,  I  dreaded  to  go  to  meeting  in 
Philadelphia,  with  such  great  folks ;  but  my  Master  soon  show- 
ed me  they  were  all  of  the  human  family,  and  were  as  much 
dependent  on  Him,  for  their  life  and  being,  as  I  was.  This 
soon  calmed  my  mind,  and  I  had  a  short,  clear  testimony  to 
bear,  which  was  well  received  by  Friends.  This  was  at  the 
Northern  District  Meeting.  In  the  afternoon  I  attended  Arch 
Street  Meeting,  where  I  had  to  take  up  a  copious  subject,  and 
go  through  with  it.  Thomas  Scattergood  followed,  and  united 
with  my  testimony.  Thus  I  found  much  encouragement,  that 
if  I  only  kept  to  my  Lord  and  Master's  direction,  I  was  safe 
among  every  people.  Second-day,  having  Stephen  Mackfield, 
and  John  Paul,  for  our  pilots,  wo  rode  thirty-six  miles,  and 
lodged  with  John  Pine,  in  Chester  County.  8th,  we  rode  to 
Columbia  on  the  Susquehanna  forty  miles.  9th,  had  a  meeting 
in  that  town  ;  after  meeting  we  crossed  the  river  and  rode  ten 
miles  to  Little  York.  10th,  we  had  a  satisfactory  meeting 
there.  11th,  we  rode  to  Gunpowder,  and  had  a  meeting  there 
on  the  12th ;  pretty  exercising,  on  account  of  many  being  set- 
tled down  at  ease.     After  this  meeting  we  rode  to  Baltimore, 

sixteen  miles,  and  made  our  home  with  John  M ,  where  we 

were  kindly  provided  for.  Here  we  had  occasion  to  lay  by  till 
fourth-day,  when  we  attended  the  West  Meeting,  and  had  a 
meeting,  with  the  youth  of  that  part  of  the  city,  the  largest 
that  I  ever  saw  of  the  kind.  iVth,  we  attended  the  Old  Meet- 
ing, in  the  east  part  of  the  city,  and  had  a  meeting  with  the 
youth  there  in  the  evening;  both  comfortable,  and  favored. 
This  seemed  to  make  up  for  some  of  the  hard,  painful  meetings 
I  had  passed  through,  and  renewed  my  courage.     I  noticed  at 


178  JOURNAL    OF 

all  tlie  meetings  in  this  city,  that  the  people  of  all  descriptions, 
even  down  to  little  children,  sat  very  still ;  more  so,  than  I  re- 
member to  have  observed  in  all  my  travels ;  an  evident  mark 
of -a  good  education,  and  a  wise,  prudent  care  in  parents,  over- 
seers, and  other  leading  characters  of  meetings.  My  mind  be- 
coming settled  that  it  was  best  to  attend  to  my  prospect,  and 
visit  the  poor-house,  and  the  state  prison,  I  opened  it  to  Friends, 
who  made  way  for  it  by  taking  considerable  pains.  19th,  we 
had  a  solid,  satisfactory  meeting  with  the  invalids ;  after  meet- 
ing we  stopped  a  little,  and  seeing  some  without  feet,  others 
without  hands,  some  with  parts  of  limbs  gone,  and  many  with 
scarified  faces,  I  enquired  the  cause.  I  was  told  that  nearly 
all  of  it  came  from  their  intemperance.  I  exclaimed,  in  my 
heart,  what  a  spectacle  of  warning  to  the  rest  of  mankind,  to 
take  care  and  not  become  dupes,  and  miserable  slaves  to  that 
unmerciful  tyrant,  ardent  spirits  ;  truly  heart-aching  to  behold 
its  effects. 

20th,  first  of  the  week  we  attended  the  West  Meeting.  In 
the  afternoon  we  visited  the  State  Prison,  and  had  a  meeting 
with  them.  There  is  a  great  contrast  between  this,  and  the 
Poor  House,  many  of  these,  of  bright  countenance,  and  pos- 
sessed of  active  minds,  capable  of  being  useful,  and  doing  much 
good  in  their  generation,  confined  for  their  wicked,  outrageous 
conduct,  which  rendered  them  a  pest  to  the  human  family; 
many  of  these  brought  to  this  by  attending  balls,  horge-racing 
and  gambling-houses,  whereby  they  get  stripped  of  all  they  have 
then  flee  to  the  tyrant,  ardent  spirits,  for  comfort,  which  'soon 
dupes  them  to  thieving,  forgery,  and  all  manner  of  evil  conduct, 
and  then  to  the  State  Prison.  The  consideration  of  these 
things  bore  heavily  on  my  spirits,  but  through  the  tender  mer- 
cies of  the  most  high  God,  I  was  enabled  to  clear  my  mind 
amongst  them  in  a  way  that  was  well  received,  though  plain  to 
the  point.  21st,  we  had  a  meeting  at  evening  at  the  West 
House,  with  the  people  of  color ;  it  was  large ;  they  behaved 
very  quietly,  as  became  Christians.  I  think  they  were  evident- 
ly owned  by  the  Shepherd  of  Israel ;  it  was  a  serious,  tendering 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  179 

time,  a  renewed  visitation  to  that  people  ;  may  the  Lord  make 
it  a  blessing  to  them.  22d,  we  went  to  Elk  Ridge,  and  attend- 
ed that  meeting  in  course.  There  being  a  marriage  it  was 
pretty  full,  and  sometime  unsettled,  not  at  all  to  my  satisfac- 
tion, they  not  giving  opportunity  to  me  to  clear  my  mind. 
After  meeting  we  drove  to  the  head  of  South  river.  25th,  to 
William  Ward's ;  not  far  from  this  stood  an  old  meeting-house, 
once  occupied  by  a  large  society  of  Friends,  and  now  left  desti- 
tute. I  enquired  if  they  had  moved  away  ?  I  was  answered, 
"No ;  the  old  stock  owned  abundance  of  slaves,  and  the  young 
ones  had  fallen  pff ;  when  the  parents  died,  there  were  none  to 
keep  the  meeting  up."  This  answer  was  so  full,  I  thought  well 
to  notice  it,  for  although  their  parents  left  them  rich  in  this 
kind  of  property,  their  offspring,  now,  are  generally  poor, 
proud  and  lazy ;  a  sad  entailment — clear  evidence  that  a  little, 
earned  by  honest  industry,  is  better  than  much,  otherwise  ob-^ 
tained ;  in  that  the  latter  is  blest,  and  the  other  blasted,  every 
way.  I  could  but  mourn  for  their  offspring ;  their  countenan^ 
ces  looked  sour  towards  Friends.  26th,  we  rode  to  the  Cliffs, 
where  once  was  a  large  body  of  Friends,  and  the  first,  or  nearly 
the  first  Yearly  Meeting  that  was  held  on  the  Continent,  which 
was  large  for  many  years.  But  Friends  running  much  into 
slavery,  and  raising  their  children  in  idleness,  they  have  gone 
from  the  society,  and  many  of  them  now  are  some  of  the  most 
cruel  slave-holders  in  that  country,  and  Friends  have  ceased  to 
be,  over  a  tract  of  country  that  is  very  beautiful.  In  a  space  of 
country  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  in  length,  and  several  wide, 
much  of  which  was  formerly  owned  by  Friends,  there  is  now 
but  one  meeting  pretended  to  ,be  kept  up,  and  that  by  an  old 
man,  whose  children  will  go  to  the  meeting-house  with  him  some- 
times. Some  of  their  descendants  seem  to  have  a  regard  for 
Friends,  and  mourned  their  situation.  We  had  a  meeting  at 
the  Cliffs,  which  was  heavy,  and  heart-aching  on  account  of  the 
two  or  three  Friends  who  could  not  be  reconciled  to  leave  the 
country.  We  parted  with  them,  and  returned  ten  miles  on 
our  way  back.     29th,  rode  ten  miles  and  attended  an  appointr 


180  JOURNAL    OF 

ed  meeting  in  a  village  called  Friendship,  where  there  was  a 
good  sized  meeting-house  owned  by  Friends ;  but  not  a  Friend 
in  that  part  of  the  countiy  to  come  to  it,  and  the  inhabitants 
had  filled  it  with  tobacco  ;  on  that  account  the  Methodists  of- 
fered us  their  house  which  was  large  and  accommodating.  To 
this  meeting  came  abundance  of  people  ;  the  arm  of  the  Lord 
was  felt  to  be  strong  this  day.  I  had  to  go  into  a  large  field 
and  show  the  abuse  of  slavery  on  the  human  family,  the  perni- 
cious effects  on  the  offspring  of  slave-holders,  and  its  open  vio- 
lation of  all  right  in  a  gospel  point  of  view.  I  had  not  witness- 
ed the  power  of  gospel  authority  so  to  rise  in  dominion  over 
all  opposition  for  many  days.  It  was  the  Lord's  doing,  and  the 
glory  is  all  His.  From  this  we  went  to  attend  an  appointed 
meeting,  the  30th,  near  West  River,  where  Friends  once  held 
their  Yearly  Meeting  for  Maryland.  We  found  it  a  desolate 
spot,  the  meeting-house  almost  rotted  down,  the  grave-yard  ly- 
ing common,  and  briars  and  bushes  growing  over  the  bones  of 
the  dead,  and  many  of  the  graves  rooted  down  with  swine,  so 
that  mournful  were  my  feelings,  and  heavy  was  my  heart.  I 
could  but  exclaim,  "how  the  earth  mourns  with  a  dreary  face, 
and  refuses  to  smile  upon  the  dead,  w^ho  marred  her  beauty  by 
oppression !"  We  had  a  little  meeting  there  and  departed. 
31st,  we  attended  Indian  Spring  Meeting.  1st  of  1st  month, 
1813,  we  rode  to  Sandy  Spring;  2d,  we  had  a  meeting  with 
Friends  there,  wherein  my  mind  was  comfortable,  feeling  the 
presence  of  the  Lord  was  near  to  uphold  and  sustain  all  those 
who  put  their  trust  in  Him.  After  this  meeting  we  rode  six- 
teen miles  toward  Washington,  and  lodged  with  Tssachar  Scho- 
field.  First-day,  the  3d,  we  attended  the  little  meeting  of 
Friends  in  Washington  City.  4th,  rode  to  Alexandria,  and 
had  a  large  meeting  with  Friends  and  others.  5tb,  we  return- 
ed to  Washington,  in  the  evening  we  had  a  meeting  in  George- 
town. 6th,  we  attended  the  Preparative  Meeting  in  Washing- 
ton, and  after  it  rode  to  Alexandria.  Yth,  attended  their  mid- 
week meeting.  8th,  we  rode  to  Nathaniel  Elicot's,  at  Occo- 
quan,  where  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  which  was  fa- 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  181 

vored ;  and  holy  help  was  felt  to  give  ability  to  discharge  my 
duty  from  day  to  day,  and  to  feel  sufficient  satisfaction  there- 
for. 9th,  we  traveled  thirty-eight  miles  to  Fredericksburgh. 
10th,  forty  miles  to  Caroline.  11th,  we  had  a  meeting  in  that 
place ;  the  prospect  is,  that  meeting  will  run  down  ;  it  was 
small,  and  but  little  true  gospel  life  felt  amongst  them.  12th, 
we  went  to  Cedar  Creek.  13th,  attended  that  meeting,  where 
I  had  to  come  to  close  work,  which  made  my  heart  ache. 
From  thence  to  Jenito,  and  had  a  meeting ;  then  returned  to 
Cedar  Creek.  15th  and  16th,  we  lay  by  except  visiting  the 
sick  and  afflicted.  l7th,  first  of  the  week,  we  attended  Cedar 
Creek  meeting  again,  where  I  had  to  show  the  evil  effects  of 
those  who  Lorded  over  God's  heritage,  and  oppressed  the  Babe 
Immortal,  in  their  brethren,  Christ's  little  ones  ;  a  solemn  day 
to  me.  I  felt  richly  rewarded  for  being  faithful,  yet  could  but 
mourn  for  the  self-righteous,  important  feeling  in  that  land 
which  would  not  enter  the  kingdom  themselves,  nor  suffer  oth- 
ers who  wanted  to  enter.  I  had  to  leave  them  to  the  Lord. 
21st,  rode  to  Wayne  Oak.     22d,  wehad  a  meeting  there.     23d, 

we  rode  to .     24th,  first  of  the  week,  we  attended  that 

little  meeting.  25th,  rode  back  to  Wayne  Oak,  and  attended 
meeting  there  on  the  26th.  27th,  rode  to  Burleigh,  and  cross- 
ed James  River.  28th,  we  had  a  meeting  with  Friends  there, 
and  rode  after  meeting  eight  miles  to  William  Hunicot's. 
29th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  his  house.  30th,  we  rode  ten  miles 
to  Petersburg,  and  had  a  meeting  there  the  same  day,  where 
my  heart  was  pained  to  see  the  droves  of  human  beings  driven 
about  like  cattle,  and  used  much  worse.  After  meeting,  we 
drove  to  Gravelly  Run.  Here  was  a  pretty  large,  lively  meet- 
ing, there  being  a  number  of  well  established  Friends.  31st, 
first-day,  we  attended  that  meeting  to  good  satisfaction.  1st 
of  2d  month,  we  went  to  Stanton.  2d,  we  laid  by  to  give  op- 
portunity of  notice  for  future  meetings.  3d,  wehad  a  meeting 
there;  after  it  we  rode  twelve  miles  to  Samuel  Jones',  and 
had  six  miles  to  ride  in  the  morning.  We  had  sent  a  written 
information  of  our  appointment  to  a  Friend  that  was  recom- 


182  JOURNAL    OP 

mended  to  us,  to  be  relied  upon,  but  instead  of  answering  our 
request,  he  kept  still  until  the  morning  that  the  meeting  was  to 
be,  at  11  o'clock;  he  then  sent  it  to  a  poor  man  who  had  no 
horse,  who  gave  what  information  he  could.  When  we  got 
there,  there  were  five  or  six  friends,'and  two  or  three  neighbors, 
and  the  Friend  who  had  neglected  our  request.  It  came  so 
clear  before  me  how  it  was,  that  I  rose  on  my  feet  and  stated, 
it  appeared  to  me  that  the  Friend  who  was  requested  to  give 
notice  of  the  meeting,  had  neglected  it,  and  put  it  on  another, 
who  was  not  in  circumstances  to  do  it,  and  at  so  late  a  period 
that  it  was  out  of  his  power  to  notify  the  people  according  to 
my  request;  and  I  thought  it  hard  after  giving  up  to  come 
so  far  as  I  had,  that  I  could  not  have  the  opportunity  of  seeing 
the  people  I  wanted  to ;  but  having  done  my  duty,  must  leave 
it  on  the  Friend,  who  had  neglected  his,  to  look  to,  and  sat 
down,  and  soon  broke  the  meeting.  Friends  called  on  the 
Friend,  who  acknowledged  he  had  given  no  information,  but 
had  sent  the  paper  .to  a  poor  Friend  that  morning.  I  was  told, 
they  asked  him  why  he  did  so  ?  He  answered,  "He  did  not 
know  of  any  Friends  in  Vermont,  and  thought  it  better  to  get 
acquainted  with  the  man,  and  to  know  whether  he  could  preach 
first;  if  I  had  come  from  Philadelphia,  he  should  have  felt  safe 
in  informing  the  people." 

After  this,  we  drove  eighteen  miles,  to  Benjamm  Jordan's, 
near  Vix  Meeting,  at  whose  house  we  found  kind  usage, 'and 
on  the  5th  had  a  large,  crowded  meeting,  at  that  place.  At 
this  meeting,  the  High  and  Holy  One  was  pleased  richly  to 
furnish  me  with  matter,  strength,  and  utterance,  so  that  the 
power  of  Truth  came  over  all,  and  a  solidity  sat  on  the  coun- 
tenances of  the  people.  6th,  we  went  to  Somerton.  'Zth,  first 
of  the  week,  we  were  at  that  meeting.  From  thence  to  Johns- 
ton. 8th,  we  had  a  meeting  with  the  inhabitants  thereabouts. 
9th,  rode  to  Secock,  and  attended  an  appointed  meeting ;  it 
being  rainy,  we  tarried  with  John  Watkins,  the  night.  10th, 
went  to  Black  Water,  and  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of 
Ministers  and  Elders.     While  sitting  there,  it  was  shown  me,  as 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  183 

clear  as  tlie  beams  of  light,  that  there  was  in  that  meeting,  one 
who  defrauded  the  free  Macks  out  of  their  wages,  after  they  had 
well  earned  them,  and  that  was  the  reason  the  Lord^s  presence 
was  not  to  be  found  in  the  meeting.  It  was  also  shown  me, 
who  it  was  that  was  guilty ;  but  they  all  looked  so  smooth,  and 
answered  the  queries  so  whole,  that  I  reasoned  until  the  subject 
died  away,  to  the  wounding  and  burdening  my  mind  for  many 
days.  And  before  I  left  the  countr}^,  I  was  told  "that  it  was 
actually  the  case,  and  who  the  man  was,  (the  very  person  that 
was  brought  to  my  view) ;  when  this  was  told  me,  I  had  not 
so  much  as  hinted  my  feelings  to  any  mortal.  This  re-inforced 
the  burden  on  my  mind.  I  leave  this  for  a  warning  to  others. 
11th,  came  on  the  meeting  for  worship  and  discipline.  It  was 
painfully  exercising,  the  continual  moving  of  the  young  people, 
and  running  in  and  out  of  the  rabble.  At  the  meeting  for  bu- 
siness, they  set  the  windows  and  doors  open,  and  the  rabble 
would  come  and  put  their  heads  in  at  the  windows  and  listen ; 
others  almost  continually  running  in  and  out ;  and  many  sat 
in  the  meeting  w^ho  were  not  members,  nor  even  moral  people, 
and  no  endeavors  were  used  to  have  it  otherwise.  I  was  glad 
when  the  meeting  ended.  We  appointed  a  meeting  there  the 
next  day,  the  12th,  where  I  cleared  my  mind  as  well  as  I  could, 
and  left  them  with  a  grieved  heart  and  pained  mind.  After 
meeting,  we  drove  to  the  Western  Branch  twenty  miles.  13th, 
we  had  a  favored  meeting  with  a  few  Friends  there  ;  a  tender- 
ing, contriting  season  to  some  minds.  14th,  first  of  the  week, 
had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Suffolk.  15th,  we  rode  to  the 
Widow  Winslow's,  in  North  Carolina.  16th,  had  a  meeting 
at  Piney  Woods,  and  another  at  Beach  Springs  on  the  18th. 
19th,  we  had  one  at  Goose  Creek;  at  this,  my  mind  was  sin- 
gularly led,  and  having  suftered  deeply  for  suppressing  my 
feelings  before,  I  gave  up,  to  walk  up  to  the  mark  faithfully. 
The  saying  of  the  prophet  arrested  my  mind  :  "  Thy  Maker  is 
thy  husband  ;  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is  His  name ;  thy  Redeemer, 
the  Holy  one  of  Israel ;  the  God  of  the  whole  earth  shall  He 
be  called."     I  was  led  to  show  that  this  would  apply  to  the 


184  JOURNAL   OF 

Churcli,  and  to  individuals ;  and  that  the  way  the  Church  became 
the  Lamb's  wife,  was  by  entering  into  promises  :  the  Bride  had 
to  make  promises  as  well  as  the  Groom,  and  these  promises 
were  not  to  be  broken  without  guilt,  and  the  reward  of  guilt 
was  condemnation  always ;  and  in  like  manner  it  would  apply 
to  individuals.  Here  I  felt  a  full  stop,  but  shortly  the  language 
flowed  forcibly,  "  What  aileth  thee,  O  wife !  Has  thy  husband 
withdrawn  his  affections  from  thee,  or  doth  he  neglect  to  pro- 
vide for  thee,  or  hast  thou  let  out  thy  affections  to  another,  and 
played  the  truant  thyself;  and  now,  to  hide  thy  shame,  and  to 
secrete  thy  wickedness,  art  accusing  thy  husband  of  being  guilty 
of  thy  own  conduct  ?  This  is  cruel."  Then  I  was  led  to  show 
how  such  a  disposition  would  affect  grief,  and  use  a  private  in- 
fluence to  get  a  strong  party  on  their  side ;  and  that  such 
would  pretend  a  broken  heart,  to  carry  their  points,  while  suf- 
fering innocence  could  say  but  little  more  than  "  I  am  clear, 
I  am  innocent,  I  never  did  so."  I  then  was  led  to  show  the 
agonizing  pain  it  must  give  to  an  innocent  mind  to  meet  with 
such  treatment,  and  that  from  one  in  whom  they  had  put  the 
greatest  confidence.  When  I  felt  clear  of  this  part  of  the  sub- 
ject, way  opened  to  show  the  inseparable  unity  between  Christ 
and  his  Church ;  and  that  it  was  by  covenant,  and  that  com- 
pared to  the  wedlock  covenant ;  and  when  both  parties  kept 
the  covenant  inviolate,  then  each  partook  of  every  solace  that 
could  promote  joy  and  happiness ;  but  to  those  that  broke 
covenant,  sorrow,  anguish,  and  woe,  were  certain.  I  was,  to 
my  own  mind,  marvelously  strengthened  to  go  through  the 
service  of  the  day,  to  my  own  peace,  and  the  satisfaction  of 
Friends.  I  was  shortly  after  informed  there  had  been  such  a 
case  with  them,  which  run  to  that  length,  that  it  brought  the 
Monthly  Meeting  into  confusion,  but  that  now  all  parties  were 
satisfied.  The  woman  was  disowned,  and  all  things  returned 
to  a  quiet  course,  to  the  exaltation  of  the  standard  of  Truth  and 
Righteousness  ;  and  I  hope  to  the  everlasting  praise  of  the  true 
God.     We  went  on  to  Simons'  Creek  to  attend  their  Monthly 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  18S 

Meeting  on  the  20th,  but  such  a  rain  came  on  that  only  enough 
came  to  adjourn  the  meeting  to  another  time. 

On  first  day,  21st,  we  attended  the  meeting  at  Newbegun 
Creek  2 2d,  had  a  meeting  at  Pasquotank,  and  returned  to 
Aaron  Morris'.  23d,  we  rode  to  Nathan  Morris'.  24th,  we 
had  a  meeting  at  Sutton.  25th,  attended  the  adjourned  Month- 
ly Meeting  at  Simons'  Creek  26th,  attended  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  for  Ministers  and  Elders  at  Little  River.  27th,  Quar- 
terly Meeting  for  worship  and  discipline.  First  day,  28th,  we 
attended  the  burial  of  Mary  White,  daughter  of  Aaron  Morris ; 
a  large  and  solemn  gathering.  1st  of  3d  month,  had  a  meeting 
at  Pasquotank  Narrows.  2d,  a  meeting  at  Little  River.  3d, 
had  another  meeting  at  Sutton's  Creek  4th,  we  had  another 
meeting  at  Simons'  Creek.  6th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Nixonton. 
All  through  this  low  country  I  felt  much  for  Friends ;  many 
of  their  brethren  who  had  freed  their  slaves,  had  left  them  un- 
protected and  unprovided  for ;  and  they  themselves  had  gone 
into  another  country,  leaving  their  blacks  a  burden  on  their 
friends  who  staid  behind  ;  for  they  were  liable  to  be  taken  up 
and  sold  again,  unless  protected  by  Friends,  so  that  it  was  a 
grievous  burden.  I  thought  it  right  to  encourage  Friends  to 
do  what  they  could  for  this  oppressed  and  much  injured  people, 
for  whom  I  had  much  labor  laid  upon  me,  to  plead  their  cause, 
and  bear  a  faithful  testimony  against  the  wicked  practice  of 
holding  slaves. 

The  6th  of  the  month,  we  attended  Piney  Woods  Monthly 
Meeting.  First  day,  Vth,  we  attended  Wells  meeting ;  and  at 
three  o'clock  another  appointed  for  us  at  Beach  Springs.  8th, 
we  rode  to  Eli  Copeland's,  thirty-eight  miles.  9th,  rode  to 
Richsquare.  10th,  attended  Richsquare  Meeting.  11th,  we 
rode  to  Jack  Swamp.     12th,  had  a  meeting  in  that  place.  13th, 

we  had  a  meeting  at  M .     First  day,  14th,  we  attended 

Richsquare  meeting  again.  15th,  we  drove  forty  miles,  to 
Tarburgh,  and  had  to  cross  the  great  Waynoak  river ;  here,  to 
our  grief,  we  saw  abundance  of  slaves,  who  were  hardly  used. 
We  put  up  with  Henry  Austin.  16th,  we  had  a  meeting  in 
12 


186  JOURNAL    OF 

that  town;  after  it,  we  drove  to  Coiiteiitney.  I7tli,  attended 
meeting  there.  18th,  attended  meeting  at  Turner's  Swamp. 
19th,  attended  Holly  Spring  meeting.  20th,  visited  Nahanty 
meeting.  First  day,  21st  attended  Contentney  meeting  again, 
after  which  we  rode  to  Cane  Creek.  2 2d,  had  a  meeting  with 
the  inhabitants  of  that  place.  23d,  set  out  for  Core  Sound, 
and  continued  traveling  the  24th  and  25th,  and  arrived  at  Jo- 
siah  Burden's  26th,  in  that  neighborhood.  27th,  attended  Core 
Sound  Monthly  Meeting.  First  day,  28th,  attended  Core 
Sound  meeting.  29th,  we  had  a  meeting  in  Beaufort  Village, 
by  the  Seaside.  From  here  we  went  back  to  J.  Burden's.  31st, 
we  drove  to  Newbeme.  1st  of  4th  month,  reached  Washing- 
t(yi,  a  little  town  on  Bear  River ;  part  of  the  roads  were  pole 
and  log  cross-ways,  for  miles  together ;  the  most  tedious  of  any 
I  ever  met  with.  2d  of  the  month,  rode  to  Pungo  river.  3d, 
we  drove  to  Mattimuskeet.  4th,  and  first  of  the  week,  we  at- 
tended that  little  meeting.  After  this,  we  appointed  a  meeting 
at  the  lower  end  of  Musketo  Lake,  and  attended  it  on  the  5th 
of  the  month,  and  returned  to  Mattimuskeet.  The  6th,  returned 
to  Pungo  river.  Vth,  arrived  at  "Washington.  8th,  had  a 
large  meeting  there.  Here  were  abundance  of  slaves,  and  it 
being  in  the  time  of  the  war  with  England,  it  ,was  thought  dan- 
gerous to  say  much  against  war  or  slavery.  I  was  led  to  show 
that  the  gospel,  if  complied  with,  led  every  true  follower  of 
Jesus  Christ  to  endure  every  burden,  break  every  yoke,  and  let 
the  oppressed  go  free ;  and  those  who  did  not  comply  there- 
with, were  not  true  christians,  but  deceivers  of  themselves  and 
others,  and  therefore,  anti-christians.  From  this  I  was  led  to 
the  subject  of  war.  But  when  I  mentioned  that,  a  number 
straitened  themselves  up,  and  stared  me  full  in  the  face,  with 
all  the  defiance  of  confident  countenance  they  could ;  so  much 
so,  that  I  stopped,  and  thought  to  sit  down,  and  give  up  any 
further  attempt  to» preach  to  them.  As  I  went  to  set  down, 
the  ear  of  my  soul  heard  a  clear  voice,  saying  "  stand  still  and 
wait  for  the  Lord,  and  He  will  help  thee."  So  I  stood  like  a 
stock  to  be  stared  at,  awhile.     Then  the  voice  spoke  again,  say- 


JOSEPH    HO  AG.  187 

iiig  "  speak  to  the  people  and  state  to  thera  where  thou  livest, 
and  the  situation  of  the  country  and  people."  I  then  proceeded, 
and  stated  that  I  lived,  when  at  home,  within  sixty  miles  of  the 
British  lines  ;  the  nation  that  we  are  now  at  war  with.  It  is  a 
land  line  two  hundred  miles ;  one  hundred  through  a  country  of 
rich,  fertile  soil,  and  both  thickly  settled,  not  only  with  farms, 
but  towns,  villages  and  meeting  houses  ;  and  that  I  had  trav- 
eled m  nearly  all  of  the  British  American  Provinces,  and  found 
Episcopalians,  Presbyterians,  Baptists,  Quakers,  Methodists, 
Eestorationists,  and  Roman  Catholics,  and  large  societies  of 
each,  and  many  of  them  own  brothers,  children  of  the  same 
mother,  and  communicants  at  the  same  table.  When  I  had 
proceeded  thus  far,  Gospel  life  arose,  with  authority,  in  this 
manner :  now,  is  it  possible,  for  any  one  who  has  rational  sense 
and  power  of  reflection,  to  make  himself  believe  that  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Prince  of  peace,  who  came  not  to  destroy  men's  lives, 
but  save  them,  should  command  any  of  His  dear  children  of  the 
same  communion,  who,  in  commemoration  of  His  agonized  suf- 
fermgs  for  them,  in  hopes  that  through  His  merit,  atonement 
and  the  gift  of  His  grace,  they  may  obtain  eternal  salvation, 
(and  this  is  the  belief  of  all  these  societies),  should  command  any 
ofthemto  draw  the  martial  sword,  to  open  the  veins  of  life  of  their 
brethren,  and  deprive  them  of  the  remainder  of  their  days. 
And  this  is  now  the  case  in  our  land,  with  all  those  societies 
except  the  Quakers.  Who  can  believe  all  thif  should  be  ?  I 
cannot,  though  I  am  well  aware  that  the  monarch  s  of  the  earth, 
command  obedience  from  their  subjects,  on  the  plea  of  being 
subject  to  the  higher  power ;  seeming  to  forget  that  all  power 
in  heaven  and  earth,  was  given  to  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  they 
have  their  power  by  his  permission,  and  are  bound  in  duty  not 
to  counteract  His  command,  and  are  as  accountable  to  Him  as 
their  subjects,  and  have  no  right  to  control  conscience  ;  and 
Jesus  commands  to  do  good  for  evil ;  and  He,  in  the  Father, 
is  the  highest  power  of  all.  When  this  came,  every  head  had 
dropped,  and  every  countenance  had  fallen,  except  one ;  he 
struggled  awhile  longer.     I  felt  the  power  of  Truth  to  arise 


188  JOURNAL    OF 

mightily  over  tliem  all,  and  the  spring  of  the  Gospel  to  flow  as 
a  mighty  stream,  so  that  I  had  to  keep  on  my  guard  to  speak 
distinct  and  clear.  The  last  head  came  down ;  many  of  them 
wept  much.  Tims,  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  make  bare  his 
arm,  and  show  his  mighty  power,  and  exalt  the  truths  of  the 
Gospel,  amongst  a  full,  hardy  people,  to  the  honor  of  His  own 
ever  adorable  name !  and  richly  rewarded  the  poor  servant,  for 
the  obedience  of  faith  this  day.  Blessed  forever  be  His  good- 
ness, and  honored  be  His  name. 

After  this,  we  journeyed  to  Greenville.  9th,  to  Contentney. 
10th,  we  attended  their  Monthly  Meeting,  and  put  up  with  Si- 
las Hallo  well,  and  rested  one  day.  12th,  we  visited  Holly 
Spring  Meeting.  13th,  attended  Nahante  Meeting.  14th,  we 
attended  Bear  Creek  meeting.  15th,  I  attended  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  for  Ministers  and  Elders,  at  Contentney;  afterward 
we  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  discipline.  First- 
day,  the  18th,  was  a  general  parting  meeting,  which  was 
large,  solemn  and  favored.  All  the  meetings  in  this  quar- 
ter are  small,  many  having  moved  away,  and  meetings  go- 
ing down,  which  seemed  gloomy  and  discouraging.  There 
seemed  hardly  strength  to  support  discipline.  Many  of 
their  children  marrying  into  slave  families,  taking  their  wives' 
portion  in  slaves ;  then  ends  all  fellowship  with  Friends.  They 
become  the  hardest  people  that  I  fell  in  with.  While  I  mourned 
for  the  slaves,  I  could  but  doubly  mourn  for  the  dwindling  state 
of  our  Society  in  these  slave  countries.  My  heart  was  many 
times  so  filled  with  grief,  that  had  not  the  Lord  sustained  me, 
I  should  have  fainted  in  the  field.  19th,  we  had  a  meeting  at 
Neuse,  eighteen  miles  from  Contentney.  20th,  set  out  for 
Eno  ;  arrived  there  23d,  and  had  a  meeting  with  the  few 
Friends  of  that  place.  After  meeting,  drove  twenty  miles,  and 
crossed  the  river  Saxapahaw,  to  attend  Spring  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, 24th  of  the  month.  First  day,  25th,  attended  that  meet- 
ing again.  26th,  had  a  meeting  at  South  Fork,  and  rode  to 
Cane  Creek.  27th,  had  a  meeting  there.  In  this  part  of  the 
country,  I  found  things  much  out  of  order,  and  much  discord 


JOSEPH    HOAG,  189 

amongst  Friends.  My  Master  led  me  from  day  to  day,  and 
from  meeting  to  meeting,  into  a  clear  sense  of  the  state  of  meet- 
ings and  individuals,  and  laid  His  command  on  me  to  speak  His 
word  faithfully,  from  which  I  durst  not  deviate,  so  that  my 
fears  of  missing  the  right  mark  were  almost  continual :  being 
in  almost  every  meeting,  for  quite  a  number  of  days,  led  into  a 
sense  of  the  wrongs  that  were  among  them,  and  had  to  deal 
plainly  with  them,  which  was  very  painful  to  me,  and  deeply 
under  the  cross ;  so  that  it  wore  upon  my  constitution  to  that 
degree,  that  I  sometimes  thought  I  should  lay  my  bones  among 
them.  And  had  not  the  Lord  borne  me  up,  I  should  have 
fainted  in  the  field.  28th,  we  were  at  Rocky  River  and  made 
our  home  with  David  Vestal,  one  of  their  worthies,  an  Israelite 
indeed,  and  attended  that  Preparative  Meeting,  and  went  to 
the  Ridge,  twelve  miles.  29th,  had  a  meeting  there.  From 
thence,  we  went  to  Holly  Spring  once  more  ;  much  in  the  cross. 
Was  at  that  meeting  the  30th  of  the  month.  After  it  we  re- 
turned to  David  Vestal's.  The  1st  of  5th  month,  were  at  Cane 
Creek  Monthly  Meeting.  First  day,  the  2d  of  the  month,  we 
had  a  meeting  at  John  Long's,  seven  miles  from  Cane  Creek. 
3d  of  the  month,  had  a  meeting  at  Providence.  The  4th,  at 
Salem.  5th,  at  Centre.  6th,  at  Marlborough.  At  this  meet- 
ing, painful  was  the  travail  of  my  mind,  on  the  account  of  dis- 
cord amongst  brethren ;  and  I  had  to  leave  some  close  remarks 
in  some  families.  I  was  told  after  leaving  that  place,  there 
were  two  brothers,  both  members  of  Society  in  that  meeting, 
who  had  not  spoken  to  each  other  in  five  years,  and  that  I  had 
dined  at  one  of  their  houses,  and  that  I  need  not  think  strange 
of  the  remarks  that  I  had  to  make  in  the  family.  Yth,  I  at- 
tended the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  at  Black 
Creek,  where  I  was  led  into  the  closest  communication,  and 
was,  I  think,  constrained  to  express  the  sharpest  language  that 
I  ever  had  in  charge  from  my  Master  in  a  meeting  of  that  kind, 
and  was  told  after  meeting  there  was  a  cause  for  it.  The  8th, 
was  their  meeting  for  business,  somewhat  exercising  on  account 
of  an  opposing  spirit,  but  by  Friends  keeping  in  the  quiet  and 


190  JOURNAL    OF 

patiently  waiting  at  Wisdom's  gate,  Truth  bore  the  victory. 
Q'he  business  was  conducted  regularly  and  consistently,  to  the 
comfort  of  many  minds.  First  day,  the  9th,  was  the  conclud- 
ing meeting  for  the  Quarter.  10th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  TJwa- 
vie.  After  this  meeting  we  drove  twelve  miles,  and  the  11th 
traveled  forty-five  miles,  to  Rockingham.  12th,  got  to  Pedee, 
about  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  attended  their  mid-week 
meeting,  and  appointed  a  meeting  for  the  next  day,  at  the 
same  house,  and  another  in  the  afternoon,  on  the  other  side  of 
Pedee  river,  at  a  place  called  Little  Creek.  Both  these  meet- 
ings were  satisfactory.  14th,  we  set  forward  for  Piney  Grove, 
in  South  Carolina.  15th,  we  attended  Piney  Grove  Monthlv 
Meeting.  Here,  Friends  labor  under  great  discouragements,  a 
number  having  removed  to  other  countries,  and  they,  sur- 
rounded with  slaveholders,  so  that  they  seemed  to  be  in  an 
unsettled  state.  They  conducted  the  business  in  much  conde- 
scension and  humility.  There  appeared  nothing  austere  amongst 
Friends  of  this  place.  I  had  the  best  satisfaction  with  Friends 
here,  of  any  meeting  for  business  I  had  attended  for  a  long 
time.  16th,  and  first  of  the  week,  we  attended  meeting  there 
again.  l7th,  we  affectionately  parted  with  Friends  of  this 
place,  and  turned  our  course  for  New  Garden,  in  North  Caro- 
lina. "We  went  to  Rockingham.  The  18th,  we  had  a  meet- 
ing with  the  inhabitants  of  Rockingham,  and  rode  to  Archibald 
Morman's.  There,  we  had  a  meeting  the  19th.  After  this 
meeting  we  rode  thirty  miles,  and  the  20th,  we  rode  twenty- 
five  miles.  The  21st,  we  got  to  John  Winslow's.  The  2 2d, 
we  rode  to  Nathan  Hunt's,  in  Springfield.  The  23d,  and  first 
of  the  week,  we  attended  Springfield  meeting.  The  24th,  I 
had  to  lay  by  and  doctor,  having  taken  a  great  cold.  25th,  I 
went  to  Matthew  Coffin's.  About  this  time,  my  companion 
becoming  very  uneasy  and  discontented,  left  me,  in  a  distant 
land,  among  strangers,  where  I  was  often  plunged  into  deep 
sufferings.  26th,  I  attended  Springfield  mid-week  meeting. 
27th,  had  a  meeting  at  Piney  Woods.  28th,  had  a  meeting 
at  Kennet.      29th,  rode  twelve  miles  to  attend  Back  Creek 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  191 

Monthly  Meeting  at  Heworry.  In  this  little  tour  I  had  Mat- 
thew Coffin  for  a  companion.  First  day,  the  30th,  I  was  at 
Heworry  Meeting,  and  returned  to  Phineas  Nixon's,  where  T 
was  kindly  cared  for.  31st,  I  had  another  meeting  appointed 
at  Back  Creek.  This  seemed  almost  like  giving  up  my  life, 
to  have  to  go  back  to  a  place,  where  I  had  been  so  many  times, 
and  been  plunged  into  such  deep  exercise  ;  it  seemed  like  the 
mighty  waters  that  rolled  over  the  head.  But  I  found  peace 
in  giving  up  to  my  Master's  requirings.  He  was  pleased  to 
bear  me  company,  and  strengthened  with  ability  and  utterance, 
so  to  do  His  work  that  I  felt  well  relieved,  and  richly  rewarded. 
The  1st  of  the  6th  month,  we  returned  to  Springfield  and 
attended  their  Preparative  Meeting.  2d  of  the  month,  again 
visited  Piney  Woods  Meeting.  The  4th,  at  Kennett;  5th, 
attended  Springfield  Monthly  Meeting,  where  I  had  to  go  into 
close,  searching  labor.  After  they  commenced  doing  the  busi- 
ness, I  felt  my  mind  impressively  drawn  to  make  a  visit  to  the 
women's  meeting.  I  opened  it  to  the  men  and  hud  their  con- 
sent, and  a  Friend  was  named  to  go  in  with  me,  and  soon  after 
I  got  there,  it  was  opened  to  me  that  there  was  one  in  the  meet- 
ing who  was  accused  of  stealing,  who  was  as  innocent  of  such 
a  crime  as  a  child  unborn.  I  sat  under  the  exercise  until  my 
Master  showed  me  how,  and  in  what  manner  to  take  hold  of  the 
subject.  I  then  rose  with  these  words :  Had  I  in  the  men's 
meeting  met  with  what  I  have  here,  I  should  not  have  been 
surprised ;  for  men  who  have  to  go  ahead  in  the  business  of 
the  world,  will  sometimes  run  across  each  others'  track  and  spat 
each  other ;  but  to  find  amongst  the  fair  sex,  to  whom  we  look 
for  the  finest  feelings  of  sympathy,  those  who  are  accusing  an 
innocent  sister  of  taking  property,  not  her  own,  and  keeping  it 
for  her  own  use,  who  is  as  innocent  of  any  such  crime  as  a 
child  unborn ;  and  not  only  accusing,  but  whispering  and 
spreading  it  abroad  to  the  great  injury  of  the  credit  of  the  in- 
nocent ;  and  what  is  still  worse,  for  those  Avho  sit  in  Moses'  seat, 
and  those  in  the  station  of  Elders  to  sanction  these  reports,  is 
cruel ;  and  to  be  found  among  the  fair  sex,  is  surj3rising.     But 


192  JOURNAL    OF 

rest  assured,  the  Lord  will  overturn  all  this,  and  the  day  will 
come  that  it  will  be  known  who  is  innocent — for  the  Lord 
will  plead  the  cause  of  suffering  innocence.  And  if  thou  who 
art  the  sufferer,  keep  in  the  quiet,  and  abide  in  patience,  the 
day  shall  come  when  this  shall  be  carried  over  the  heads  of  thy 
accusers.  I  passed  on,  and  no  one  said  anything  to  me  on 
the  subject.  I  heard  nothing  of  it  for  years.  But  when  I  did, 
it  was  said  that  a  Friend  and  his  wife  and  children,  had  accus- 
ed a  daughter-in-law,  a  widow,  of  taking  several  hundred  dol- 
lars in  money,  that  was  not  her  own,  and  had  secreted  it.  Sev- 
eral years  passed;  at  length  the  man  who  had  the  money, 
came  forward  and  let  it  be  known  that  the  widow's  husband 
had  paid  the  money  over  to  him  a  few  days  before  he  died, 
for  land  which  he  gave  a  deed  for,  and  the  deed  was  found,  and 
agreed  with  the  man's  testimony.  Thus,  I  was  credibly  in- 
formed, the  widow  was  cleared.  I  leave  this,  in  hopes  that  it 
may  be  a  caution  to  others,  how  they  accuse  on  suspicion,  and 
give  pain  to  suffering  innocence. 

The  6th  of  the  month,  and  first  of  the  week,  I  was  at 
Deep  River  Meeting ;  the  Yth,  I  attended  Deep  River  Month- 
ly Meeting ;  8th,  at  Muddy  Creek  Meeting ;  the  9th,  at  Blue 
Creek  Meeting;  the  10th,  I  attended  Dover  Meeting;  the 
11th,  attended  New  Garden  Quarterly  Meeting  for  Ministers 
and  Elders ;  the  12th,  the  meeting  for  business.  First  day, 
the  13th,  attended  their  closing  meeting  held  for  worship 
—  it  was  a  solid,  favored  meeting;  14th,  visited  Hope- 
well Meeting;  here  I  had  Jesse  Towel  for  a  companion;  15th, 
we  had  a  meeting  at  Newberry;  16th,  at  a  meeting  at  Sandy 
Springs ;  1 8th,  we  were  at  Centre  Monthly  Meeting ;  it  was  a 
trying  day  on  account  of  a  division  amongst  Friends,  and  a 
noisy  man,  they  were  about  to  disown,  at  length  left  the  meet- 
ing, after  which  the  business  was  conducted  pretty  harmoni- 
ously ;  20th,  first  day,  we  attended  Centre  Meeting  in  the  fore- 
noon and  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Providence  in  the  af- 
ternoon; 21st,  went  to  Jesse  Towel's,  where  we  put  up  for  the 
night;  22d,  we  rode  to  Joseph  Thompson's;  23d,  we  had  a 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  193 

meeting  at  Hillsborough ;  24th,  we  attended  Eno  Preparative 
Meeting,  and  returned  to  Jesse  Towel's,  twenty-six  miles ;  25th, 
I  laid  by  and  wrote  letters;  26th,  we  attended  Spring  Monthly 
Meeting ;  2'7th,  we  were  at  Rocky  river  Meeting,  and  took 
dinner  with  our  worthy,  aged  Friend,  David  Vestal;  28th  and 
29th,  we  traveled  sixty-eight  miles  and  reached  Archibald  Mer- 
man's for  the  second  time  ;  30th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Samuel 
Chauncey's,  and  tarried  with  him  the  following  night.  The 
1st  of  'Tth  month,  we  had  a  second  meeting  at  Rockingham  ; 
2d,  we  reached  Piney  grove,  in  South  Carolina,  and  made  our 
home  with  John  Thomas.  4th,  first  day,  we  attended  Piney 
grove  meeting,  which  was  large  and  favored  ;  a  tender,  humb- 
ling time ;  5th,  6th  and  Yth,  we  spent  in  visiting  the  families 
of  that  meeting ;  8th,  w^e  attended  their  mid-week  meeting, 
which  was  a  solemn,  parting  opportunity,  and  proved  a  final 
parting  with  several  of  us,  who  had  become  much  bound  to- 
gether in  spirit;  9th,  set  out  for  Bush  river ;  10th,  we  got  to 
Camden,  seventy  miles  on  our  way,  and  had  a  meeting  there 
on  first  day,  the  11th,  which  was  large  and  favored.  We 
made  our  home  with  Samuel  Mathers,  a  Methodist  preacher, 
who  treated  us  with  Christian  kindness,  and  was  verv  helpful  in 
getting  a  house  for  the  meeting,  and  notifying  the  people.  We 
had  another  meeting  in  the  evening,  in  the  same  house,  to  good 
satisfaction.  11  ere,  I  was  shown  the  ground  where  Friends  held 
their  Quarterly  Meeting  for  sixty  years,  and  was  told  that  Friends 
once  had  a  large,  good  house  there  ;  but  the  ground  then  lay 
commons.  I  asked  what  had  become  of  Friends,  and  was  told 
they  all  moved  off  in  a  body,  except  a  few  who  had  since 
died,  and  one  old  man..  The  Quakers  told  us  for  several 
years,  that  if  we  did  not  use  our  slaves  better  they  would  quit 
the  country,  for  they  could  not  endure  to  see  it ;  but  we  did 
not  believe  them  until  we  saw  them  go,  and  sorry  enough  we 
are  that  they  are  gone,  for  they  were  good  inhabitants.  This 
gave  me  a  fair  opportunity  to  reason  with  them  on  the  subject, 
and  show  how  inconsistent  it  was  with  good  policy  or  humani- 
ty, and  repugnant  to  the  very  nature  of  all  the  Divine  attri- 


194  JOURNAL    OF 

butes,  and  entirely  incompatible  with  every  precept  of  the 
Gospel.  They  acknowledged  it  was  wrong,  but  complained 
they  had  got  them  ;  their  fathers  had  left  them  on  their  hands, 
and  they  did  not  know  what  to  do  with  them ;  their  fathers 
liad  done  them  a  great  evil.  Here  they  chose  to  stop,  and 
curl  down  on  their  fathers'  sins,  making  that  a  couch  of  secu- 
rity. They  seemed  to  have  no  disposition  to  ease  their  slaves' 
burdens,  or  mitigate  their|distress,  nor  yet  to  look  forward  for 
their  enlargement ;  but  the  plea  was,  we  have  got  them,  and 
must  keep  them,  and  keep  a  strict  hand  over  them,  or  they 
will  be  saucy  and  rebel.  So  I  said,  no  blindness  so  gieat  as 
willful  blindness ;  no  sin  so  hardening  to  heart  and  searing  to 
the  conscience,  as  the  sin  against  light  and  knowledge. 

The  12th,  resumed  our  journey  for  Bush  River,  over  a  hilly, 
rough  country.  We  lodged  at  a  small  village  called  Winns- 
borough.  Here,  we  thought  best  to  stop  and  propose  a  meet- 
ing with  the  people,  which  was  readily  complied  with.  It  was 
held  on  the  13th ;  the  people  were  civil,  and  appeared  well  sat- 
isfied, and  I  felt  much  relieved.  Our  landlord's  name  was  Hugh 
Barclay.  14th,  we  started,  expecting  our  next  night's  lodging 
would  be  at  Bush  River.  It  was  a  heavy  day's  travel,  over  a 
hilly,  dry  country ;  the  water  was  very  poor,  which  is  not  com- 
mon in  a  hilly  country.  I  was  taken  sick  on  the  road,  vomiting 
heavily  several  times,  but  continued  our  travel,  and  arrived  at  the 
widow  Hannah  Kelly's,  where  we  put  up  for  the  night.  15th, 
continuing  sick,  we  moved  to  Isaac  Kirks,  an  able  man,  who  had 
a  good  open  heart  to  take  us  in,  and  do  all  he  could  for  me. 
When  wegottherethey  were  just  going  to  meeting,  but  I  was  not 
able  to  go  with  them.  My  sickness  proved  to  be  the  billions 
colic,  and  I  was  confined  here  among  sympathizing,  kind 
Friends,  till  first  day,  the  18th,  by  which  time  I  had  so  recruit- 
ed as  to  be  able  to  attend  their  meeting ;  and  notice  having 
spread  of  our  being  in  the  place,  the  meeting  was  large.  The 
Master  of  Israels'  assemblies  was  pleased  renewedly  to  visit  that 
people,  and  cause  the  water  of  His  love  to  be  plentifully  show- 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  195 

ered  on  Ilis  lieritage,  to  the  tendering  of  many  precious  minds. 
May  it  be  productive  of  fruitfulness  unto  holiness  ! 

The  19th,  we  had  a  meeting  in  Newberry  Court  House, 
which  was  large,  and  the  people  very  attentive  and  quiet.  20th, 
we  appointed  a  meeting  at  New  Chapel,  it  was  large.  In  both 
these  meetings  my  mind  was  enlarged  in  the  love  of  the  Gospel, 
and  the  doctrines  thereof,  flowed  freely  to  the  people.  21st, 
we  had  a  meeting  with  Friends  by  themselves — a  humbling, 
parting  opportunity,  not  easy  to  be  forgotten  by  me.  22d,  we 
set  out  for  North  Carolina,  and  rode  thirty-one  miles  through 
a  hilly,  stony  country,  James  Galbreth  being  our  pilot.  23d, 
pursued  our  journey  through  that  hilly  country,  and  drove  forty- 
four  miles ;  24th,  we  drove  to  Statesville,  forty-two  miles.  25th, 
first  day,  by  driving  twenty-three  miles,  we  got  to  Hunting  Creek 
Meeting;  though  late,  I  was  glad  to  find  myself  among  my  Friends 
once  more.  Not  feeling  clear,  I  proposed  a  meeting  there  the 
next  day,  which  was  readily  complied  with.  It  was  large  and 
favored,  much  to  the  relief  of  my  drooping  mind.  The  27th, 
we  had  a  meeting  at  Swan  Creek ;  this  was  also  to  good  satisfac- 
tion. After  which,  we  rode  to  Deep  Creek,  and  had  an  appoint- 
ed meeting  there  on  the  28th.  The  spring  of  gospel  life  ran  free- 
ly ;  29th,  we  went  to  W€stfield  twenty-five  miles.  I  was  taken 
sick  on  the  road,  and  was  not  able  to  travel  or  attend  meeting- 
till  first  day,  the  1st  of  8th  month,  when  I  got  out  to  West- 
field  meeting.  Here  I  parted  with  my  agreeable  companion, 
Jesse  Towel,  who  had  been  w4th  me  through  this  southern 
tour. 

2d  of  the  month  we  set  forward  to  cross  the  Blue  Ridge,  to 
go  to  Fruit  Hill,  thirty-five  miles;  I  think  the  worst  road  of 
the  length  that  I  ever  drove  a  carriage  over.  3d,  attended 
Fruit  Hill  Meeting;  I  had  Nathan  Coles  for  companion,  at 
whose  house  I  had  been  confined  at  Westfield,  where  I  was 
kindly  nursed.  4th,  we  were  at  Mount  Pleasant  Meeting.  It 
was  small.  We  lodged  with  John  McLane.  From  here  I  had 
to  ride  on  horse  back  fifteen  miles,  to  Chestnuts.  Previous  to 
my  arrival,  I  had  to  stop  for  refreshment;  the  fare  was  poor, 


196  JOURNAL     OF 

but  the  people  were  kind.  We  got  to  meeting  in  season;  it 
was  small ;  the  country  was  hard,  and  Friends  poor.  After 
meeting  we  set  forward  on  our  return  to  Mount  Pleasant,  but 
failing,  I  did  not  get  in  until  near  one  o'clock  next  day,  6th. 
On  the  Yth,  by  the  doctor's  direction,  I  took  an  emetic,  which 
operated  so  violently,  that  it  nearly  overcame  nature,  and  I  lay 
about  six  hours  nearly  as  cold  as  a  corpse,  until  they  boiled  a 
large  vessel  of  water  with  a  quantity  of  bitter  herbs.  They 
put  me  in  this  warm  bath,  and  rubbed  me  faithfully  with  the 
boiled  herbs ;  this  promoted  a  warmth,  and  restored  nature  to 
action.  The  emetic  turned  down,  operated  powerfull}^,  and  I 
revived  ;  but  it  broke  the  fever  which  had  been  hanging  about 
me  for  several  months.  I  sweat  profusely  for  about  twelve 
hours,  which  reduced  me  very  low.  I  think  I  never  was 
brought  so  near  the  grave,  in  my  life,  before.  I  was  taken  to 
John  McLane's,  on  account  of  his  wife  being  a  good  nurse,  and 
I  had  never  before  fallen  into  the  hands  of  one,  equal  to  her  in 
skill  and  motherly  affection,  so  that  when  I  think  of  her,  my 
heart  glows  with  gratitude,  much  desiring,  and  fully  believing, 
that  the  Lord  will  richly  reward  her  for  her  kindness  to  me,  a 
stranger  in  a  strange  land. 

I  was  confined  from  traveling  until  the  20th,  except  to  at- 
tend Westfield  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  the 
time  I  sat  with  Friends  twice  in  their  little  meeting  at  Mount 
Pleasant.  After  attending  the  Quarter,  I  visited  Fruit  Hill  and 
Pine  Creek  meetings ;  returned  to  Mount  Pleasant,  and  attend- 
ed their  Preparative  Meeting  the  2'7th,  and  their  Monthly 
Meeting,  the  28th;  both  of  them  were  small  and  weak.  29th, 
first  day,  was  at  Chestnut  Creek  meeting  again,  after  which,  I 
returned  to  Mount  Pleasant,  where  I  met  my  intended  compan- 
ion for  Tennessee — Caleb  Carson. 

On  the  30th,  we  set  out  for  Tennessee.  We  had  to  cross 
the  Blue  Ridge.  The  first  day  we  traveled  twenty-eight  miles, 
the  2d  day,  thirty-eight  miles.  The  1st  of  9th  month  we  trav- 
eled thirty  miles ;  the  2d,  not  more  than  twenty  miles.  We 
turned  over  our  carriage,  damaging  it  considerably,  so  that  we 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  197 

had  much  difficulty  in  getting  amongst  Friends.  The  first 
Friend's  house  we  came  to  was  Isaac  Hammer's,  where  we  put 
up  for  the  night.  From  here,  we  went  to  Isaac  Beal's,  and 
mended  our  carriage.  The  day  following,  we  had  a  comforta- 
ble meeting.  The  next  meeting  was  at  New  Hope,  and 
the  day  following  at  the  little  meeting  at  Tick  Creek.  In  all 
the  above  meetings  I  was  led  much  in  the  line  of  doctrine. 
Friends  here  generally  lived  comfortably,  but  none  of  them 
rich ;  they  seemed  to  be  pleasant  company  for  one  another,  no 
distinctions  to  feed  jealousy  or  promote  pride,  so  that  it  was 
much  easier  getting  along  here  than  in  manj^  other  places.  We 
had  a  large  meeting  at  Canada  Spring,  (about  the  time  the 
Methodists  were  holding  their  Camp  Meeting,  not  far  distant), 
to  which  many  of  the  Methodists  came.  I  was  led  to  show  that 
the  work  of  religion  was  a  work  carried  on  between  God  and 
the  soul  of  man.  I  was  also  led  to  show  that  while  the  soul 
kept  its  attention  on  the  spirit  of  the  Lord,  which  began  the 
work  of  reformation  in  and  upon  it,  every  advance  in  the 
growth  of  grace,  from  stature  to  stature,  was  known  in  the  com- 
munion that  was  held  between  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  and  the  soul ; 
and  when  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  was  believed  in  and  obeyed,  it 
dictated  all  our  duties  to  God,  our  fellow  creatures,  and  our- 
selves ;  and  the  duties  so  done  were  always  acceptable  with  the 
Lord,  while  all  man-contrived  devotion  and  will-worship,  is  re- 
jected by  Him.  They  took  offense  at  my  remarks,  and  after  I 
was  gone,  they  charged  me  with  false  doctrine,  l  give  a  little 
sketch  of  this  meeting  as  an  introduction  to  what  will  come  in 
course  before  I  leave  the  country. 

After  meeting  we  rode  to  Lost  Creek,  fifteen  miles.  9th,  we 
had  a  large,  favored,  satisfactory  meeting  with  Friends  and  oth- 
ers of  that  place.  10th,  we  had  a  small  meeting  at  the  Valley. 
11th,  we  had  a  little  meeting  at  Grassy  Run.  A  number  of 
these  little  meetings  were  once  larger,  many  having  moved 
away,  to  get  out  of  a  slave  country,  and  left  a  few  scattering 
ones  in  each  place,  who  do  not  seem  willing  to  give  up  holding 
their  meetings,  though  some  of  them  were  but  little  more  than 


198  JOURNAL    OP 

ceremony.  They  seemed  in  an  uneasy  and  unhappy  situation, 
so  that  I  thought  these  had  better  follow  their  brethren  ;  yet  I 
think,  that  had  Friends  of  that  part  of  the  country  kept  togeth- 
er, and  been  faithful  to 'their  principles,  and  stood  their 
gromid,  they  might  have  done  much  good  to,  and  for  the 
oppressed  black  people,  who  have  but  few  to  plead  their  cause  ; 
and  I  think  they  would  have  done  much  better  than  moving 
away.  In  that  part  of  the  country  there  are  many  not  Friends, 
who  are  very  uneasy  with  slavery ;  so  that  I  think,  where 
Truth  shakes  the  foundation  of  iniquity.  Friends  had  better 
keep  the  ground  and  hold  up  the  standard  of  light  and  Truth 
to  the  people. 

The  12th,  we  went  to  Newberry,  twenty-five  miles,  13th, 
we  lay  by  to  give  opportunity  for  the  notice  of  the  meeting. 
Friends  living  scattered.  14th,  we  had  a  large,  good  meeting 
at  that  pSace.  15th,  we  started  to  return,  but  not  feeling  clear, 
we  turned  back,  and  had  a  meeting  about  five  miles  southward 
of  Friends'  Meeting-house,  on  the  16th,  and  then  returned  to 
Friends.  lYth,  we  visited  families.  18th,  we  started  for  Lost 
Creek.  We  stopped  on  our  way,  at  Knoxville,  to  take  breakfast. 
The  Indians  having  made  an  invasion  on  the  frontiers  of  the 
white  inhabitants,  it  was  a  time  of  general  alarm  while  I  was 
there.  Being  taken  into  the  room  where  the  General  was  with 
his  officers ;  the  sergeants  made  their  returns  to  the  Gene- 
ral, that  they  had  warned  every  man  that  the  law  required  to 
do  military  outy,  Quakers  and  all,  and  there  had  not  one  Qua- 
ker appeared  on  the  ground.  In  the  meantime  the  General 
looked  sharply  at  me,  as  I  was  walking  the  room,  and  said, 
"Well,  we  have  lost  a  number  of  our  frontier  inhabitants,  and 
some  of  our  soldiers,  and  a  people  who  would  not  defend  the 
frontier  inhabitants,  when  the  savages  were  destroying  and 
scalping  them,  could  not  be  considered  friends  to  their  country, 
and  should  have  no  favor  from  him."  He  then  said,  "How  do 
you  like  this  doctrine,  stranger  ?"  I  answered,  "It  is  no  doc- 
trine for  me ;  I  have  little  or  no  opinion  of  it."  He  asked, 
"Why  ?"     I  said,  "The  people  with  whom  I  commune,  who 


JOSEPH    HO  AG.  199 

are  sound  in  their  principles,  are  all  King's  men  to  a  man,  and 
are  remarkably  attached  to  their  King,  and  our  King  told  Pon- 
tius Pilate,  that  His  kingdom  was  not  of  this  world,  for  if  it 
■was,  then  would  His  servants  fight  that  He  should  not  be  deliv- 
ered to  the  Jews ;  that  His  kingdom  was  not  from  hence,  and 
that  His  kingdom  was  our  kingdom  ;  that  He  had  nothing  to 
fight  for  in  this  world,  neither  have  we  ;  and  you  warriors  are 
fighting  for  the  riches,  honor,  and  glory  of  this  world,  and  when 
you  have  got  them,  you  cannot  stay  with  them.     We  choose 
to  lay  up  our  riches,  and  have  our  treasures,  where  the  rust 
cannot  mar  them,  nor  thieves  nor  warriors  get  them  from  us." 
The  General  sat  down,  but  soon  rose  with  these  words,  "I  am  not 
going  to  give  up  the  argument  so  ;  I  see  by  the  look  of  your  eye, 
that  you  are  no  coward ;  you  are  a  soldier ;  and  if  an  Indian  was 
to  come  into  your  house  to  kill  your  wife  and  children,  you  would 
fight."  I  answered,  "As  for  cowardice,  I  ever  despised  it,"  but 
pointing  tow* d  the  guns  standing  in  the  house  with  bayonets  on 
them,  "General,  it  would  take  twelve  such  men  as  thou  art — 
and  then  you  would  not  do  it — to  make  me  take  hold  of  a  gun 
or  pistol,  to  take  the  life  of  a  fellow  creature,"  and  looked  him 
full  in  the  face.     He  said,  "I  see  you  do  not  deny  the  sword." 
I  replied,  "No  ;  I  profess  to  be  a  swordsman,  that  is  the  weap- 
on I  go  into  the  field  with — a  sword  that  never  was  beaten  in 
the  field  nor  foiled  in  battle."     He  turned  and  sat  down,  but 
not  long,  and  said,  "I  will  bring  you  to  the  point.     If  an  Indi- 
an was  to  come  into  your  house,  with  his  knife  and  tomahawk, 
and  you  knew  he  would  kill  you,  your  wife,  and  children,  and 
you  knew  you  could  kill  him  and  save  all  your  lives,  you  would 
kill  him  ;  if  you  did  not,  you  would  be  guilty  of  the  death  of 
the  whole."     I  thought  it  time  to  look  ifor  a  close,  and  propos- 
ed a  standard  to  bring  the  argument  to,  that  should  decide  it, 
but  he  declined.     I  then  asked  him  if  he  professed  to  be  a 
Christian,  a  Jew,  or  a  Mahometan  ?     He  declined  awhile.     I 
then  added,  if  he  were  a  Jew,  he  was  not  prepared  to  fight ; 
his  men  were  not  circumcised,  he  had  not  burnt  a  sin  offering, 
nor  a  peace  offering.     He  excljjimed,  "I  profess  to  be  a  Chris- 


200  JOURNAL    OP 

tian  ;  I  am  not  a  Jew  or  a  Turk,"  I  asked  him  if  he  believed 
Jesus  Christ  was  the  author  of  the  Christian  dispensation."  He 
said,  "Yes."  I  asked  him,  if  he  believed  Him  sufficiently  equal 
to  the  work  as  God  himself,  as  he  received  all  the  works  of 
God  to  do.  He  said,  "He  did."  I  then  told  him,  I  should 
keep  him  to  the  Christian  platform  or  creed,  laid  down  by  Je- 
sus Christ ;  and  that  he  would  not  deny  that  a  Christian  was 
fit  to  live  or  die — I  meant  a  true  Christian.  He  said  a  true 
Christian  was  fit  to  live  or  die.  I  then  told  him  I  would  give 
the  subject  a  fair  statement,  and  he  might  judge.  I  proceeded 
thus :  "  I  shall  state,  that  myself  and  wife  are  true  Christians, 
and  our  children  are  in  the  minority — and  thou  know  est  it  is 
natural  for  children  to  believe  what  their  parents  teach  them 
— and  therefore  we  are  all  true  Christians  as  far  as  our  several 
capacities  enable  us  to  be ;  and  now  the  question  lies  here ; 
which  is  most  like  the  precepts  and  example  of  our  King — the 
author  of  the  Chistian  religion — to  lay  down  our  lives,  and  all 
go  to  heaven  together ;  or  kill  that  wicked  Indian,  and  send 
him  to  hell ;  for  he  must  be  in  as  wicked  a  state  as  he  can  be, 
to  kill  a  family  that  would  not  hurt  him.  General,  it  is  a  seri- 
ous thing  to  send  wicked  folks  to  hell ;  they  have  no  chance  to 
come  back  and  mend  their  ways  ;  and  thou  dost  not  know,  but 
that  if  that  wicked  Indian  was  spared  he  might  feel  remorse 
enough  to  make  him  repent,  so  as  to  find  forgiveness,  and  go 
to  heaven.  I  really  believe,  I  should  feel  much  better  to  see 
him  come  there  than  to  send  him  to  hell ;  and  that  is  not  all. 
General ;  when  I  killed  that  wicked  Indian,  and  sent  him  to 
hell,  I  imbrued  my  hands  in  human  blood ;  before,  they  were 
clean ;  but  now  they  are  stained  deep  in  the  crimson  gore. 
Canst  thou  make  thyself  believe,  that  I  stand  as  good  a  chance 
to  get  to  heaven,  as  to  die  when  my  hands  were  clean,  and  I 
innocent  of  human  blood  ?  And  besides,  our  King  who  was 
Lord  of  all,  had  disciples  and  many  women  who  looked  up  to 
Him  for  protection,  as  much  as  a  wife  to  a  husband,  or  children 
to  their  father.  Did  He,  when  the  wicked  Jews  came  out  with 
staves  to  take  Him,  cut  ofi"  those  wicked  creatures,  and  send 


JOSEPH   IIOAG,  201 

them  to  hell,  when  he  could  have  the  command  of  twelve  le- 
gions of  angels  ?  He  did  not  act  without  reason,  He  knew  if 
He  cut  them  off  they  must  go  to  hell ;  and  He  knew  if  He  laid 
down  His  life,  He  was  going  to  heaven  ;  and  neither  thou  nor 
I  knows,  but  some  of  the  poor  creatures  repented  of  their  con- 
duct, and  found  forgiveness,  and  are  now  in  heaven,  glorifying 
His  name  for  sparing  them.  Now  General,  was  He  guilty  of 
suicide  ?  Thou  wilt  answer.  He  came  into  the  world  for  this 
purpose.  I  reply  that  we  are  brought  into  the  world  to  obey 
his  commands,  and  to  follow  his  example,  and  do  likewise  if 
called  on ;  and.  General,  we  find  He  had  one  soldier  among 
His  followers,  who  drew  his  sword  and  fought  like  a  valiant  for 
his  Lord.  But  what  then  said  his  Lord  ?  Did  He  say,  thou 
art  a  good  fellow,  I  will  promote  thee  for  this  ?  Or,  did  He 
not  say,  put  up  thy  sword  into  its  sheath,  for  they  that  use  the 
sword  shall  perish  with  the  sword.  General,  thou  will  do  well 
to  remember  that  saying ;  it  is  the  word  of  a  King. 

The  General  made  no  answer,  but  sat  and  hung  his  head  for 
some  time.  One  of  the  company  at  length  replied,  "  Well, 
stranger,  if  all  the  world  was  of  your  mind,  I  would  turn  and 
follow  after."  I  replied,  "  so  then  thou  hast  a  mind  to  be  the 
last  man  in  the  world  to  be  good.  I  have  a  mind  to  be  ©ne  of 
the  first,  and  set  the  rest  the  example."  This  made  the  Gene- 
ral smile.  He  got  up  and  went  out  at  the  door,  and  ordered 
his  officers  to  let  me  go  where  I  pleased,  and  not  to  interfere  ; 
then  turned  and  came  in.  I  was  then  walking  the  floor,  and 
after  a  little  discourse,  the  General  said,  "  well,  stranger,  there 
are  a  great  many  of  your  sort  of  people  in  this  State."  I  an- 
swered, "  yes,  and  I  hope  thou  finds  them  an  honest,  industri- 
ous, peacable  people ;  good  inhabitants  to  populate  and  clear 
up  a  new  country,  and  make  it  valuable."  He  said,  "  yes,  they 
are  an  industrious,  harmless  people."  We  were  both  on  our 
feet.  I  turned,  ahd  looked  him  full  in  the  face,  and  spoke  with 
some  emphasis.  "  General,  canst  thou  say  that  an  honest,  in- 
dustrious people,  who  will  harm  nobody,  are  enemies  to  their 
country  ?  "  He  paused  awhile,  and  said,  "  No,  and  they  shall 
13 


202  JOURNAL    OF 

have  my  protection,  and  you  have  the  word  of  a  General  for  it.'' 
I  then  felt  easy  that  all  was  done  that  could  ha  done.  I  had 
the  same  man's  word  who  had  said,  "  No  favor  should  be 
sh'vwn  the  Quakers,"  now  ple^lge  Ids  honor  to  protect  them. 
After  some  mure  conversation,  we  parted  very  pleasantly.  We 
refreshed  and  went  on  ;  and  after  getting  alone  and  looking  it 
all  over,  1  said  in  my  heart,  "Lord,  what  hast  Thou  done,  for 
Thou  wast  near  me  and  I  perceived  it  not ;  Thou  carried  me 
through,  and  I  knew  it  not.  The  honor  and  the  praise  is  all 
Thine  ;  Thou  hast  magnified  Thy  own  honor,  and  exalted  the 
cause  of  righteousness  in  the  eyes  of  gainsayers,  and  caused 
the  tongue  of  the  lofty  to  change,  and  hast  caused  the  mighty 
to  feel  Thy  power  to  be  over  them  all,  to  the  praise  of  Thy 
ever  blessed  name  ! " 

The  19th,  we  attended  Lost  Creek  Preparative  Meeting. 
29th,  we  attended  Grassy  Valley  Preparative  Meeting.  In  both 
of  these  I  had  relieving  service  to  my  mind,  and  good  satisfac- 
tion ;  but  not  feeling  clear  of  Knoxvilh^,  we  returned  to  it, 
whilst  the  army  lay  there.  21st,  we  had  a  meeting  with  the 
oflBicers,  soldiers,  and  inhabitants — a  great  concourse — having;  a 
place  that  would  accommodate  thousands.  Here,  the  Lord, 
n^v  good  Master,  gave  strength  sufficient  for  the  day,  and  took 
all  the  fear  of  man  from  me,  and  furnished  me  with  ability  to 
hold  forth  the  beauties  of  the  peaceable  kingdom  of  the  Messiah, 
the  Lamb  of  God;  and  to  bring  into  view  the  reward  in  time, 
in  the  enjoyment  of  social  society  in  love,  whose  law  is  kind- 
ness ;  that  hn^e  which  worketh  no  ill  to  its  neighbor,  but  pro- 
moteth  peace,  and  spreadeth  joy  in  the  human  family.  Thus, 
I  was  led  to  hold  up  the  warrior's  weapons  in  their  terrific 
hues,  and  show  the  agonies  they  caused,  in  making  widows, 
and  fatherless  children,  with  the  other  evils  attendant,  and  had 
to  contrast  the  subjects,  so  they  would  look  me  in  the  face, 
look  down  on  their  swords,  turn  pale  and  hang  their  heads, 
and  some  of  them  shed  tears.  Truth  arose  mightily  in  domin- 
ion over  them  all.  The  power  of  the  Lord  and  the  Lamb, 
reigned  that  day,  to  the  honor  of  the  Godhead,  to  whom  all 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  203 

honor  belongeth.  After  meetino^,  I  thoiiglit  to  get  away  soon, 
but  before  I  could  start  a  man  came  to  me  with  a  miinber  of 
silver  pieces  in  his  hand,  to  reward  me  for  my  service,  at  d 
urged  me  to  take  them,  and  t<>  stay  three-quarte'S  of  an  h-  ur, 
and  they  would  raise  something  handsome  for  me.  for  that  was 
not  half  enough;  the  people  wanted  to  <lo  it,  and  I  ouglit  to 
receive  it,  for  I  well  deserved  it.  So  that  I  was  oblige  ^1  to  take 
up  the  subject  at  large,  an<l  give  them  my  reasons  why  I  could 
not  take  even  one  piece  of  the  money.  They  gathered  around, 
and  looked  on  me  like  people  amazed,  until  I  had  done,  and 
then  the  man  who  held  the  money  lo*  ked  on  me  and  said,  "  I 
believe  you  are  sincere  and  conscientious  in  it,  but  I  think  you 
are  a  little  bigoted,  and  we  are  sorry,  for  we  think  you  ought 
to  take  the  money."  I  acknowledged  their  respect,  and  was 
glad  to  get  away  so  well,  and  returned  to  Lost  Creek. 

The  22d,  we  attended  that  Monthly  Meeting.  23d,  first  day, 
we  were  at  Canada  Creek  Meeting.  Notice  being  given  of  our 
being  there,  a  number  of  Methodists  came  in.  This  was  the 
place  where  the  Methodists  accused  me  of  false  doctrine  when 
here  before,  but  now  I  had  to  take  up  the  subject  of  silent  wor- 
ship at  large,  and  show  from  many  scripture  tcxt%  that  silence 
was  an  ordinance  of  heaven — as  preparatory  to  all  right  devo- 
tion. I  was  led  to  bring  into-  view  the  silence  in  heaven  for 
the  space  of  half  an  hour,  and  what  transpired  after  it ;  also 
Elijah  being  silent  in  the  cave's  mouth,  when  the  wind,  the  fire, 
and  the  earthquake  passed  by,  and  the  Lord  was  in  none  of  them, 
and  was  led  to  show  what  transpired  after  it,  in  confirmation 
that  silent  worship  was  acceptable  with  God,  and  a  necessary 
preparation  for  all  other  devotion  ;  then  sat  down.  1  had  not 
sat  long  before  I  found  my  mind  drawn  to  take  up  the  subject 
of  prayer,  and  call  to  remembrance  the  Lord's  instruction  how 
to  behave  in  prayer;  that  Christians  were  not  to  make  long 
prayers  as  the  heathen  did,  thinking  they  should  be  heard  for 
their  much  speaking  ;  nor  to  blow  the  trumpet  to  call  pco})le 
to  hear  them  pray  ;  nor  to  stand  in  corners  of  the  streets  to  be 


204  JOURNAL    OF 

heard  or  seen  of  men ;  but  to  pray  to  their  Father,  who  was  in 
secret,  and  who  would  reward  them  openly. 

When  we  returned  to  John  Kennedy's,  after  meeting,  the 
aged  Friend,  remarked  that,  he  did  not  know  but  that  his 
prayer  was  answered;  for  the  Methodists  had  said  so  much 
about  my  false  doctrine,  that  he  had  craved  that  I  might  come 
back  and  have  another  meeting  with  them,  and  clear  the  way. 
He  thought  I  had  been  enabled  to  answer  every  objection  and 
every  cavil,  as  plainly  as  though  I  had  heard  them ;  and  that, 
too,  in  the  hearing  of  the  objectors,  in  such  a  manner,  that  he 
saw  no  way  but  they  must  be  still  and  quiet  now.  He  could 
but  marvel  at  the  goodness  of  Providence  to  his  people.  Then 
remarked,  thy  last  testimony  crowned  all  the  rest ;  for  in  their 
Camp  Meeting  they  blow  the  trumpet  to  apprise  the  people, 
and  when  they  thought  they  had  time  to  wash  and  prepare 
themselves,  they  blow  the  trumpet  to  call  them  to  prayers. 
And  when  they  had  time  to  breakfast,  they  blew  the  trumpet 
to  call  them  into  the  camp.  So  that  when  thou  came  over 
the  blowing  -of  the  trumpet,  and  the  manner  of  parade,  it  so  fitly 
applied,  that  the  Minister  who  sat  before  thee,  dropped  his 
head  that  had  held  up  before,  and  he  did  not  raise  it  again 
until  thou  sat  down.  So  that  I  think  it  is  evident  that  the 
Truth  arose  in  dominion  over  all  opposition ;  a  favor  that  we 
ought  to  be  thankful  for.  And  truly  the  account  was  hum- 
bling to  my  soul.  24th,  we  drove  about  ten  miles  on  our  way, 
stopped  and  had  a  meeting ;  after  which,  we  drove  ten  miles 
and  put  up  with  Jacob  Killpatrick.  25th,  we  drove  but  twen- 
ty-four miles  ;  it  being  very  rainy,  we  stopped  with  Friends  at 
Lick  Creek.  26th,  we  had  a  satisfactory  meeting  with  them. 
After  meeting  we  drove  to  Newhope,  and  had  a  meeting  with 
them  on  fifth  day.  After  meeting,  we  drove  to  the  widow  Eliza- 
beth Powel's,  in  Limestone  Settlement,  and  had  a  meeting  with 
them  on  6th  day  of  the  week.  In  these  last  meetings  the  way 
was  opened,  and  I  was  favored  so  with  utterance,  that  I  felt 
fully  relieved,  and  at  liberty  to  bid  farewell  to  Friends,  and  that 
country,  for  that  time. 


JOSEPH    HO AG.  205 

The  2d  of  10th  month,  we  set  forward  for  Westfield,  in 
North  Carolina,  and  arrived  there  the  10th  of  the  month.  We 
attended  but  one  meeting  in  the  time,  and  traveled  three  hun- 
dred miles  across  the  most  hilly,  mountainous  country,  that  I 
had  ever  traveled.  11th,  I  attended  Westfield  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, and  was  glad  to  get  amongst  Friends  again.  12th,  first- 
day,  I  attended  that  meeting  again,  to  my  own,  and  Friend's 
satisfaction  and  comfort.  13th,  I  left  Deep  Creek,  and  reached 
there  about  the  middle  of  the  next  day,  15th,  I  had  a  second 
meeting  there.  16th,  had  a  satisfactory  meeting  at  Hunting 
Creek,  and  took  dinner  after  it  with  Daniel  Burnsides.  lYth, 
I  went  to  Swan  Creek,  and  had  a  good  meeting  there  on  the 
18th.  19th,  I  returned  to  Deep  Creek,  and  was  with  Friends 
of  that  place,  on  first  day,  20th.  21st,  in  company  with  John 
Jackson,  I  had  a  meeting  at  a  town  called  Rockford,  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Yadkin  River.  From  there  we  returned  to 
Westfield,  and  lay  by  on  the  2 2d,  waiting  for  company,  being 
bound  for  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  North  Carolina,  to  be  held  at 
New  Garden.  23  d,  we  crossed  Surry  town  mountains,  and  put 
up  at  night  with  Latham  Folger.  24th,  we  drove  to  Barnabas 
Cofiin's,  Deep  River.  26th,  I  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  for 
Ministers  and  Elders.  27th,  first  day,  attended  meeting  at  the 
same  house.  At  this  meeting  I  hurt  my  testimony  by  speak- 
ing fast,  fearing  I  should  be  in  the  way  of  others.  28th,  the 
Yearly  Meeting  for  business  commenced,  and  held  by  adjourn- 
ment several  days.  Much  deep  exercise  was  witnessed  on  ac- 
count of  the  many  deficiencies,  which  through  declension,  had 
crept  into  our  Society ;  so  that  there  was  much  disorder  in  the 
Yearly  Meeting,  by  young  people  going  in  and  out,  who  were 
not  members,  accompanied  by  young  Friends ;  so  much  so  that 
I  proposed  to  appoint  door-keepers  to  prevent  the  disorder, 
which  the  meeting  did ;  yet  a  member  of  Friends  were  highly 
offended  with  it,  so  that  I  had  much  arduous,  and  painful  la- 
bor through  this  Yearly  Meeting,  on  account  of  the  many 
wrongs  not  done  away.     There  were  many  colored  children 


206  JOURNAL    OF 

amongst  them,  who  were  in  no  way  for  obtahnng  learnino-  to  fit 
them  for  business;  and  when  I  talked  with  some  Friends  on 
the  subject,  they  replied,  that  if  they  gave  them  learning,  it 
would  make  them  saucy,  and  they  would  feel  themselves  as 
good  as  white  folks.  There  were  others  who  felt  concerned  for 
them,  and  wished  them  to  have  learning;  but  there  were  few 
who  were  willing  to  put  forth  the  hand  ;  so  that  I  felt. a  neces- 
sity laid  heavy  upon  me.  to  labor  !i<^nestly,  faithfully,  and  plaj^- 
ly  with  Friends  on  that,  and  several  othep  accounts,  which  lay 
heavy  on  me.  But  it  did  not  suit  them  in  general,  and  only  a 
few  would  receive  it.  But  my  good  Master  strengthened  me 
so  from  day  to  day,  to  bear  tlie  testimony  which  he  gave  me, 
that  when  the  meetinir  closed  I  felt  easy,  clear,  and  richly  re- 
warded with  the  returns  of  that  peace,  which  no  man  could 
take  from  me. 

After  this  meeting,  my  way  being  shut  up  as  to  any  further 
gospul  labors  in  this  land,  I  set  out  for  h  Mue  and  traveled  four- 
teen days,  wiihout  any  stop  except  what  nature  ca'led  for,  until 
I  got  to  Stroudsburgh,  in  Pemisylvan'a.  There  I  stop[)ed  a 
week  and  rest'd  my  horses,  g.>t  my  clothes  washed,  and  then 
started  again,  and  reached  home  in  about  ten  days;  found  my 
family  and  Friends  generally  in  good  health,  after  nn  absence  of 
thirteen  months,  having  passed  through  many  deep  wadings, 
and  witnessed  the  arm  of.  the  Lord  to  carry  my  soul  through 
lieights  and  depths.  It  is  all  of  His  power  and  mercy  uhich 
hath  sustained  me  hitherto.  H  mored,  worshiped,  and  adored 
be  His  goodness,  and  His  holy  came  for  everm.>re,  saith  my 
soul! 

Several  years  have  pas-ed,  in  which  T  had  to  make  several 
shirt  religious  visits  in  different  parts  (;f  my  own  Yearly  >  eet- 
i  >g.  Not  having  regulai-ly  dated  minutes,  1  pass  by  them,  and 
take  up  the  following  account  to  close  my  first  visit  in  North 
CVirolina.  After  getting  through  South  Carolina,  I  expected 
from  there  to  go  home,  but  after  getting  from  Chestnuts,  among 
the  mountains,  1  was  taken  very  sick,  and  was  confined  most  of 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  207 

the  time  for  several  weeks,  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  and  at  one  time  so 
low,  they  thought  I  was  dying,  and  I  thought  so  myself.  At  this 
time  I  was  seriously  looking  over,  to  find  if  all  was  well  to  leave 
the  world,  and  the  Lord  showed  me  that  I  was  not  to  die  yet. 
I  had  got  to  attend  North  Carolina  Yearly  Meeting  and  several 
others,  and  tliere,  in  every  place,  deliver  what  lie  gave  me,  and 
see  that  I  did  not  turn  to  the  right  hand  nor  to  the  left.  Short- 
ly after,  I  was  able  to  get  into  my  carriage  and  ch^se  my  visit 
in  Tennessee,  and  return  to  North  Carolina.  I  visited  one 
Quarterly  Meeting,  and  two  Monthly  Meetings  before  the  Year- 
ly Meeting  caftie  on,  and  found  close,  searching  labor  in  all  of 
them,  much  more  so  than  is  common  for  me  in  such  meetings. 
When  the  accounts  were  presented  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  from 
the  different  Quarters,  there  appeared  much  disorder  and  weak- 
ness among  them ;  I  found  my  mind  arrested  to  hibor  much, 
plain  and  clear;  among  the  rest,  my  mind  was  ari-ested  with 
weight,  for  a  length  of  time,  which  I  sat  under,  until  1  was  not 
able  to  attend  to  their  business  sufficiently  to  know  how  it  was 
going  on.  I  then  informed  them  there  was  a  subject  on  my 
mind,  and  continued  With  me  so  heavy  that  I  saw  no  other 
Avay  but  to  leave  it  where  I  found  it.  The  subject  is  this — it  is 
not  good  for  Ministers  and  Elders  to  mount  their  horses  and 
ride  round  the  country  to  electioneer  to  get  a  slave-holder  for 
an  assembly-man — it  is  not  consistent  with  our  principles.  I 
was  led  to  show  that  while  we  were  bearing  a  testimony  against 
slavery,  to  ride  round  and  endeavor  to  get  in  an  assembly-man 
who  was  determined  to  support  slavery,  was  not  consist- 
ent, and  w.is  led  to  trea*"  the  subject  very  ]>laii!,  and  clear,  to 
show  the  encouragement  it  gave  for  other  Fri-  nds  to  do  so 
likewise  ;  that  it  was  not  good  ;  Friends  had  bett<  r  keep  out  of 
the  inixuire.  I  sat  down,  feeiin.g  great  peace  of  mind,  and  had 
but  little  more  service  through  tlie  meeting. 

When  the  meetir«g  closed,  my  cerificate  uas  not  given  me  ; 
when  one-tl  ird  were  out  of  the  house,  I  found  the  clerks 
crouched  down  behind  the  door  writing  on  the  back  of  it.  I 
took  it  and  M\ilked  into  the  yard  and  saw  Avhat  was  put  (\^rit- 


208  JOURNAL    OF 

ten)  upon  it,  that  the  Yearly  Meeting  knew  nothing  about  as  a 
Yearly  Meeting ;  written  in  the  name  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and 
signed  by  its  clerk. 

I  soon  fell  in  with  N H ,  the  assistant  clerk,  and 

asked  him  what  it  meant.  With  a  good  deal  of  emphasis,  he 
said,  oh,  thy  conduct  has  ruined  the  Yearly  Meeting.  I  queried 
with  him  wherein ;  he  did  not  let  me  know,  but  insisted  that  I 
had  wounded  a  great  many  Friends'  feelings,  and  ruined  tl^e 
Yearly  Meeting,  and  that  I  had  no  business  here ;  I  had  ought 
to  have  gone  home.  I  let  him  know  that  I  knew  better,  and 
gave  him  a  short  account  how  I  knew  that  I  had  done  my  Mas- 
ter's work  faithfully,  and  got  my  reward — a  good  reward,  so 
that  they  could  not  help  it ;  which  seemed  to  check  him  a  little. 
We  soon  parted.     Being  yet  feeble,  I  thought  it  best  to  leave 

as  soon  as  I  could.     There  was  one  D Q ,  of  my  own 

Yearly  Meeting  that  came  home  and  reported  that  I  was  sent 
home,  which  was  altogether  ifelse,  as  there  was  never  such  a 
word  or  hint  given  me ;  for  what  was  put  on  my  certificate  was 
not  an  act  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  but  Avas  left  so  no  one  could 
tell  what  was  meant. 

I  returned  home  and  had  it  to  muse  upon  for  five  years,  be, 
fore  I  knew  wh^  it  meant.     When  I  visited  that  country  a 

second  time,  I  fell  in  with  M C ,  an  Elder  of  the  same 

place,  who  asked  me  if  I  knew  what  it   was   that   offended 

N H ,  and  his   brother,    (who   were  clerks   of  the 

Yearly  Meeting  when  I  was  there  before),  I  replied,  no.    He 

then  said,  N H ,  persuaded  me  to  ride  with  him  to 

electioneer  for  such  a  man.  I  rode  with  him  one  day  and  a  half, 
and  told  him  I  could  not  ride  any  more,  as  I  did  not  feel  right, 
left  him,  and  he  rode  alone.  This  influence  got  the  man  in  ;  after 
he  was  in,  he  made  sport  of  it,  saying  the  Quakers  were  such 
fools  as  to  think  he  would  favor  them.  He  proved  the  hardest 
man  against  Friends  they  had  in  a  great  while,  and  afterwards 
was  detected  in  Pennsylvania  in  kidnapping,  suffered  impris- 
onment, and  had  to  pay  a  heavy  fine. 


JOSEPH    HOAG,  209 

When  I  heard  all  this,  I  was  amazed,  for  the  Lord  knew,  and 
does  to  this  day,  that  He  laid  it  upon  me  to  deliver  it  there  in 

the  meeting,  as  I  never  had  a  thought  that  N H ,  or 

any  in  his  station,  would  go  into  such  business,  until  I  had  to  de- 
liver it.  When  I  look  it  over,  to  this  day,  it  gives  me  a  gloomy 
feeling,  for  he  fought  against  the  living  truth,  and  his  tantaliz- 
ing was  hard  to  bear. 


CHAPTER  Vir. 

On  the  24lh  of  9tli  month,  1816,  having  obtained  the  unity 
of  ray  own  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings,  I  set  out  with  Se- 
lah  Gregory,  a  member  of  my  own  Monthly  Meeting,  to  pay  a 
religious  visit  to  Friends  and  others,  within  the  compass  of 
Philadelphia,  Baltimore  and  Ni»rth  Carolina  Yearly  Meetings. 
On  my  way,  I  visited  my  daughter,  Elizabeth  Taber,  living  in 
Cliester,  State  of  New  York,  and  sat  with  the  few  Friends  of 
that  meeting,  and  had  two  appointed  meetings  Avith  other  peo- 
ple, to  good  satisfaction.  I  was  always  glad  that  I  made  this 
little  visit,  for  I  never  saw  my  truly  beloved  stm-in-law,  James 
Taber,  after ;  for,  before  I  returned,  he  was  laid  in  the  grave. 
He  told  me  a  little  before  we  parted,  that  he  should  not  live 
long;  spoke  with  much  assurance,  and  made  some  feeling  re- 
marks on  himself,  the  situation  of  their  meeting,  and  why  it 
was  so.  He  was  a  bright,  talented,  clean-handed,  sweet-spirit- 
ed man. 

From  here  we  went  to  Queensbury,  and  attended  that 
Monthly  Meeting,  I  was  enabled  to  clear  my  mind  to  solid 
satisfaction.  Thence,  we  went  direct  to  Stanton  Hill,  and  at- 
tended that  meeting  on  first-day,  which  v\  as  large  and  much 
favored.  Afier  meeting,  we  drove  to  Athens  ;  from  thence  to 
Cornwall,  where  we  tarried  two  nights,  attended  Cornwall  mid- 
week meeting,  and  took  our  leave  of  the  last  meeting  in  our 
own  Yearly  Meeting  on  our  way.  The  next  stop  amongst 
Friends,  was  at  Stroudsburgh,  in  Pennsylvania,  where  we  arriv- 
ed on  seventh-day  evening.  We  attended  that  meeting  on 
First-day,  and  had  another  in  the  afternoon  ;  both  to  good  sat- 
isfaction.    Thence  we  went  across  the  count rv  to  AVilkesbarre, 


JOSEPH    HO AG.  211 

on  the  s^reat  flats  of  SuRqnehannah,  where  we  found  a  few  mem- 
bers of  our  Society,  with  whom,  and  the  inhalntants  of  the 
plane,  we  had  an  exercising  meetinjT ;  but  the  Good  Head  of 
tlie  Church  raised  the  standard  of  Trutli,  over  the  head  of  giant 
opposition — to  the  praise  of  ilis  own  name  ! 

We  went  no  the  river  about  twenty  miles,  where  we  found  a 
number  of  our  members.  With  them  and  their  neighbors,  we 
had  a  comfortable,  refreshing  meeting.  After  this,  we  went  for 
Berwick,  and  got  there  on  seventh-day,  the  19th  of  the  10th 
month,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first-day.  21st,  we  had 
a  meeting  at  Fishing  Creek  Here  is  a  good-sized  meeting,  and 
some  valuable  Friends.  We  passed  from  this  to  Muncy, 
and  attended  their  Monthly  Meeting  the  26th.  It  was  small 
and  weak,  many  havijig  moved  away.  The  life  of  pure  religion 
appeared  very  low  in  these  parts,  and  a  worldly  spirit  much 
cherished.  Next  we  went  to  a  small  meeting  on  the  mountain, 
called  Elkland,  consisting  of  a  few  families  of  poor  Friends,  who 
were  rejoiced  with  the  vi^it.  We  were  favored  with  the  com- 
forting presence  of  the  Shiloh  of  Peace.  When  I  had  returned 
to  Muncy,  I  was  almost  sick  with  fatigue,  for  I  had  to  ride  on 
horseback,  the  roads  being  uncommonly  bad.  Soon  after  we 
got  to  our  quarters,  a  neighboring  woman,  a  ministering  Friend, 
came  in,  and  inquired  how  we  got  along,  and  what  kind  of  a 
meeting  we  had.  I  replied,  "They  were  glad  to  see  us,  and  we 
were  not  sorry  we  had  been  with  them;  and  that  we  had  a 
good  comfortable  meeting."  She  exclaimed,  "I  am  glad,  I  have 
wanted  to  go  there  these  four  months,  and  could  not;  and 
when  ycu  came  into  the  plac,  I  prayed  that  you  mig'  t  have 
to  go."  I  remarked,  that  I  had  seen  many  who  were  fond  of 
cutting  out  work,  and  were  ingenious  at  it,  who  would  not  put 
forth  a  finger  to  make  it  up.  She  paused  a  little  and  said,  "It 
is  no  matter;  for  I  have  heard  s;iy,  that  if  a  garment  is  well 
cut  out,  a  bungler  can  make  it  u'>."  So  I  cone  uded  I  had  got 
my  returns  in  ready  change,  and  would  let  it  go  at  that. 

We  staid  at  Muncy,  and  attended  their  first  day  meeting  the 
27th,  and  had  another  at  evening,  in  Penn's  village.     28th,  wo 


212  JOURNAL    OF 

had  a  meeting  at  Pine  ,  and  another  in  the  evening  at 

WilUamsport,  somewhat  favored.  I  have  had  generally,  the 
most  favored  meetings  amongst  other  people,  where  the  doc- 
trines of  the  gospel  are  most  needed  to  be  held  forth;  but 
amongst  Friends  in  these  parts,  it  has  been  abundantly  my  lot 
to  combat  a  worldly  spirit ;  beds  of  ease,  and  a  form  of  godli- 
ness without  the  life  and  power — hard  places  to  get  entry,  pain- 
ful to  my  feelings,  and  laborious  to  get  along  with.  We  re- 
turned to  Muncy,  and  attended  their  mid-week  meeting,  and 
Fishing  Creek  mid-week  meeting.  We  then  took  Roaring 
Creek  and  Catawissa  meetings ;  in  them  very  little  of  the  life 
of  Gospel  love  was  felt,  and  they  were  not  overdone  with  the 
form. 

First-day,  the  3d  of  11th  month,  at  three  in  the  afternoon, 
we  had  a  meeting  at  a  village  about  three  miles  from  Catawissa. 
Thence  we  went  to  a  place  called  Buffalo,  and  had  a  meeting 
in  that  place.  Here  we  parted  with  Henry  Batten,  a  kind 
Friend  and  Elder,  who  had  been  with  us  for  several  weeks,  as  a 
pilot  and  company ;  and  also  Chandly  Eves,  who  had  in  kind- 
ness found  us  horses  to  travel  with  one  week,  and  took  our 
horses  and  fed  them  well  during  that  time  ;  being  Friends  to 
us  in  the  needful  time,  in  a  strange  land  ;  so  that  it  seemed  like 
parting  with  own  brothers.  We  passed  on  to  Bellefonte — two 
days  travel.  The  day  following,  we  had  a  meeting  with 
Friends  and  others,  at  Bald  Eagles,  to  the  comfort  of  Friends 
there,  and  our  own  peace.  The  next  day  had  a  meeting  at 
Millsbury  village ;  this  also  was  to  good  satisfaction.  We  had 
another  at  evening  in  Bellefonte  village ;  it  was  large,  and  an 
open,  favored  meeting.  From  this,  we  went  to  Half-Moon  set- 
tlement of  Friends,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  First-day. 
Then  went  to  Chesterfield,  about  fifty  miles,  and  across  the  Al- 
leghany to  a  small  indulged  meeting.  "  We  had  a  comfortable 
meeting  with  them,  and  had  another  at  evening,  sixteen  miles 
on  our  return  to  Half-Moon,  where  we  put  up  with  George 
Wilson.  Having  been  enabled  to  clear  my  mind  of  this  part 
of  the  country,  we  parsed  on  for  Dunning's  Creek,  and  arrived 


JOSEPH    HO AG.  213 

on  seventh-day  evening,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first-day, 
the  I7th.  This  was  the  largest  body  of  Friends  we  had  fallen 
in  with,  but  they  were  not  without  the  trouble  of  false  breth- 
ren ;  into  a  sense  of  it  my  Master  plunged  me,  and  helped  me 
out  again  ;  much  to  the  relief  of  my  mind,  and  I  hope  to  the 
strengthening  of  the  hands  of  the  upright.  We  appointed  a 
meeting  at  four  in  the  afternoon,  for  those  not  of  our  Society  ; 
it  was  a  very  crowded,  satisfactory  meeting.  Thence,  to  Pipe 
Creek,  one  hundred  miles  steady  travel,  in  order  to  attend 
Warrington  Quarterly  Meeting,  which  was  held  the  25th  of 
11th  month.  It  was  a  favored  meeting;  the  presence  of  the 
Master  of  Israel's  assemblies  was  felt  to  be  over  all,  through  the 
several  sittings  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  The  business  was 
conducted  in  much  condescension  and  harmony. 

From  this,  we  went  to  Monallen  meeting  on  fifth-day.  In 
the  verge  of  this  meeting,  our  aged  Friend  Abel  Thomas,  a 
faithful  Minister,  spent  his  last  days.  We  made  his  family  a 
visit,  which  was  acceptable  to  his  lonely  widow.  We  took 
Huntingdon,  Warrington,  and  Newbury.  In  all  these  meetings 
I  had  to  come  to  close  labor  and  plain  testimony,  particularly 
in  the  latter.  The  Ist  of  12th  month,  first-day,  we  were  at  the 
meeting  in  York  in  Pennsylvania.  On  third-day,  we  went  to 
Faron,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on  fourth-day.  On  fifth-day, 
we  had  one  at  Deer  Creek.  Here,  I  was  led  to  speak  on  the 
subject  of  Nebuchadnezzar's  setting  up  an  image,  and  compell- 
ing all  others  to  worship  it ;  showing  the  principle,  its  rise,  and 
unfeeling  cruelty  ;  that  it  was  very  far  from  a  Christian  spirit. 
I  was  told  after  meeting,  that  there  was  a  man  at  meeting,  who 
had  for  a  long  time  refrained  from  eating  flesh  of  any  kind,  and 
had  got  so  strong  set  in  it,  that  of  late  he  had  compelled  his 
family  to  refrain  from  eating  flesh,  against  their  belief;  not 
suffering  it  to  be  cooked,  or  eaten  in  his  house  by  any  one ; 
and  the  reason  he  gave,  was,  that  his  God  commanded  him  to 
do  so,  and  that  it  was  his  duty  to  make  his  family  comply  with 
it,  whether  they  saw  it  a  duty  or  not.  Friends  were  rejoiced, 
in  hopes  the  communication  would  be  of  use.     The  account 


214  JOURNAL    OF 

was  truly  strengtliciiinfr  to  ray  mind,  on  my  own  account,  for  I 
had  ueighed  it  for  several  days,  under  great  depres>ion  of 
spirits. 

On  sixtli  day,  we  were  at  Busli  river  meeting,  and  seventh 
day  we  had  a  meeting  at  the  Forest.  First  day,  vvc  attended 
at  Little  Falls  ;  it  was  a  lively,  comfortable  meeting.  Second 
day,  we  rode  to  Gunpowder,  and  met  with  Friends  of  that 
place.  There,  were  sympathizing  Friends,  who  had  to  wade 
along  under  the  pressure  of  a  gainsaying,  worldly  spirit,  in  their 
professed  brethren.  11th,  we  attended  the  upper  meeting  in 
Baltimore.  12th,  we  attended  the  lower  meeting.  While  in 
this  place,  we  made  our  home  with  John  McKim  ;  staid  until 
first  day,  the  15th,  and  attended  the  upper  meeting,  where 
there  appeared  much  rubbish.  My  good  Master  enabled  me 
to  bear  a  faithful  testimony  amongst  them,  and  rewarded  me 
well  for  it.  We  had  a  meeting  the  same  day,  about  five  miles 
from  the  city,  towards  Elk  Ridge.  Third  day,  we  had  a  meet- 
ing at  Elk  Ridge.  Fourth  day,  we  went  to  Bush  Creek,  and 
next  day  had  a  meeting  there.  Sixth  day,  we  attended  Sandy 
Spring  Monthly  Meeting.  Seventh  day,  we  went  to  Indian 
Spring,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day.  Second  day, 
we  rode  to  Washington,  and  had  a  meeting  in  the  city  on  third 
day  evening.  Fourth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Alexandria  in 
the  evening.  Fifth  day,  we  rode  to  Waterford,  and  repaired 
our  wagon  on  sixth  day,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on  seventh 
day.  First  day,  at  Goose  Creek  meeting.  Second  day,  wo 
had  a  full  meeting  at  South  Fork.  Third  day,  we  returned  to 
Waterford. 

On  the  1st  day  of  the  year,  1817,  we  attended  Fairfax  Month- 
ly Meeting,  it  was  comfortable  and  favored.  2d,  fifth  day,  we 
attended  Goose  Creek  Monthly  Meeting,  and  next  day  rode  to 
Barclay;  had  a  meeting  there  on  7th  day.  On  first  day,  we 
attended  Hopewell  meeting,  where  I  was  much  enlarged,  in 
clear,  settling  testimony,  wdiich  has  been  the  favor  given  at  sev- 
eral meetings.  Second  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Middle 
Creek,  where  I  had  to  dig  about  the  fruitless  fig  trees.     Third 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  215 

(lay,  were  at  Ridore,  a  small,  weak  moeting ;  from  hence  to 
Winchester,  in  Virginia,  and"  staid  the  night  with  Goldsmith 
Chandler.  Fnmi  tlds,  we  went  to  Centre,  and  had  a  meeting. 
The  day  following,  we  attended  Hopewell  Monthly  Meeting. 
Here  I  was  led  into  feeling  sympathy  with  the  afflicted,  who 
wore  sackcloth  of  mournmg  for  their  inner  garment,  and  my 
liorn  was  filled  with  the  oil  of  encouragement  to  anoint  them. 
11th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Crooked  Run.  12th,  First  day,  we 
attended  Mount  Pleasant  meeting.  Second  day,  we  had  a 
meeting  at  Back  Creek.  15th,  at  Dillin's  run.  This  closed 
our  visits  in  Baltimore  Yearly  Meeting. 

From  this  place,  we  set  forward  for  Redstone,  and  it  took 
the  16th,  l7th,  and  18th,  to  get  aci*oss  the  Alleghany  Moun- 
tains, it  being  severe,  snowy  weather,  so  that  we  suffered  much 
with  the  cold,  but  were  favored  to  get  into  Sandy  Creek  glades 
on  first  day,  just  at  evening,  amongst  Frien<ls,  who  received  us 
kindly,  and  did  what  they  could  to  make  us  comfortable.  Wo 
had  a  comfortable  meeting  with  Friends  on  second  day,  and 
drove  to  Providence  on  third  day.  Fourth  day,  we  attended 
Redstone  Monthly  Meeting,  liehl  at  Providence,  where  they 
made  me  think  of  Ezekiel's  dry  bones  in  the  valley,  which 
needed  a  shaking  to  bring  them  together ;  for  they  had  got 
wide  apart,  and  they  needed  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  to  move 
upon  them,  to  make  them  live.  My  Lord  enabled  me  to  sound 
an  alarm.  From  here  we  went  to  Centre,  where  I  was  taken 
sick,  and  confined  two  days.  On  seventh  day  ,tlie  2oth,  \\e  had  a 
meeting  there,  and  fiist  day  were  at  Providence.     27th,  we 

went  to  S ,  and  had  a  meeting  with  them  on  the  28th, 

and  returned  to  Providence  the  same  evening.  29th,  came  to 
Redstone,  and  had  a  large  meeting  there  on  the  80th,  where  I 
found  hard  wark  enough  to  get  along  to  my  own  satisfacion. 
After  meeting,  we  rode  to  Westland,  and  attended  their  Select 
Quai'ter  on  sixth  day^  Next  day  was  their  meeting  for  worship 
and  discipline.  Here  I  had  to  proclaim  the  word  of  the  Lord 
against  tattlers,  liars,  miscldef  makers,  and  sprea.lers  of  discord 
amongst  brethren.     It  was  a  sifting  time,  but  my  good  Master 


210  JOURNAL     OF 

carried  me  througli  all,  and  over  the  head  of  all  opposition. 
Blessed  be  His  name  ! 

On  first  day,  the  2d  of  2d  month,  I  was  at  that  particular 
meeting.  3d,  were  at  Pike  Run  meeting  ;  returned  to  Redstone 
and  attended  their  first  day  meeting.  Second  day,  we  returned 
to  Providence,  and  proceeded  to  have  a  meeting  in  Roberts- 
town  village.     Next  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  C town, 

and  proceeded  to  visit  Sandy  Hill  meeting ;  and  at  evening  we 
had  a  meeting  at  Uniontown.  "We  returned  to  Centre,  and 
had  an  appointed  meeting  there.  First  day,  we  were  at  Prov- 
idence again.     Second  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  P ,  and 

another  at  evening ;  the  day  following  at  Colwellsville.  This 
concluded  our  visits  in  this  part  of  the  country.  When  I  was 
about  to  take  my  departure,  Friends  solidly  told  me,  I  need 
not  be  uneasy  about  my  labors  being  so  close,  and  plain  at  all 
their  meetings ;  that  there  was  a  cause  for  it,  and  they  were 
satisfied  with  my  labors.  So  T  passed  away  from  them,  feeling 
thankful  to  my  Lord  and  Master,  for  preserving  and  keeping 
me  right ;  much  desiring  that  the  Lord  may  bless  the  labors  to 
their  help. 

After  this,  we  set  forward  to  cross  the  Alleghany  Mountains 
into  Virginia,  and  got  to  Dunnings'  Creek  on  Yth  day  afternoon, 
and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day,  23d.  24th,  we  ky  by 
on  account  of  a  heavy  snow  storm.  25th,  we  had  a  meeting  in 
Bedford  Village,  and  then  went  to  Little  York  ;  reached  there 
Yth  day  evening,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day,  the 
2d  of  3d  month.  Second  day,  we  rode  to  Lampeter.  Third 
day,  we  attended  Sadsbury  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Lampe- 
ter. Fourth  day,  we  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Sadsbury. 
Fifth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Fallow  Field.  In  these  parts 
my  exercise  was  heavy,  and  my  labors  painful ;  having  to  cc*m- 
bat  an  infidel  spirit  that  was  creeping  in  amongst  Friends  in 
many  places.  It  is  a  dark,  defying  spirit,  but  the  Lord  har- 
nessed me  for  the  day,  and  enabled  me  to  wash  my  hands  from 
the  blood  of  all  men  in  these  parts.  Oh,  good  is  the  Lord,  and 
greatly  to  be  feared,  and  highly  to  be  praised  forevermore  ! 


JOSEPH    HOAG. 


217 


On  sixth  day,  we  rode  to  Wilmington,  in  the  State  of  Dela- 
ware. Here  we  stopped,  and  got  our  wagon  mended.  Seventh 
day,  we  rode  to  Apaguiraa,  and  attended  that  meeting.  First 
day,  at  Smyrna ;  third  day,  at  Little  Creek  ;  fourth  day,  at  Cam- 
den. In  these  parts.  Friends'  meetings  are  generally  very  small, 
where  once  there  were  large  meetings  ;  but  Friends  in  this  land 
formerlv  held  many  slaves,  and  many  of  them  refusing  to  free 
them,  went  out  from  Friends  in  a  bitter  state,  and  carried  their 
families  with  them.  Some  zealous  people  in  that  land,  who 
refused  to  join  Friends  for  several  years,  because  they  held 
slaves,  after  they  got  clear  of  them,  came  forward  and  joined 
our  Society ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  these,  there  are  several 
meetings  that  would  now  have  been  extinct,  which  are  kept 
up  by  the  offspring  of  these  humble,  faithful  people.  Friends 
there,  giving  me  this  account,  I  thought  it  just  to  give  it  a 
place  in  memory.  We  had  the  opportunity  to  be  in  their  com- 
pany several  times  ;  they  appeared  to  be  a  zealous  people,  much 
in  the  simple  innocency;  while  the  ofF^^pring  of  Friends,  who 
were  negro  masters,  are  now  the  tyrants  of  the  land.  A  stand- 
ing proof  of  the  evil  of  slavery,  and  the  blast  such  left  on  their 
offspring. 

On  fifth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  State  House,  at  Dover, 
which  was  large  and  favored.  This  is  the  handsomest  village  I 
saw  in  Delaware.  Sixth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Motherkill. 
Seventh  day,  we  were  at  Milford,  and  in  the  evening  had  a  fa- 
vored, satisfactory  meeting  at  a  small  village  called  Fr'edericka. 
First  day,  we  were  at  Cjld  S,>ring  meeting.  Tiie  house  was 
very  full,  and  the  people  quiet,  and  attentive.  Here  is  a  meet- 
ing, that  has,  I  think,  three  or  four  small  families  to  keep  it  up. 
They  live  wide  apart,  and  are  not  very  zealous,  so  that  in  this, 
and  some  other  places  in  these  parts,  it  looks  very  discouarging 
as  to  the  testimony  of  Truth  being  held  up  long.  In  Bowers- 
town,  we  had  another  large  meeting  the  same  day.  Here- 
about the  people  were  more  attentive  to  get  to  meetings,  than 
at  some  other  places. 

Second  day,  had  a  small  meotins:  at  Milton  ;  then  took  the 
14 


218  JOURNAL    OF 

meetings  of  Centre,  Northwest  Fork,  Marshy  Creek,  Clioptaiik, 
and  were  at  Third  Haven  meeting  on  first  day.  Next  day,  we 
were  at  the  Bayside.  Our  meetings  in  this  part  of  the  country 
are  generally  small,  and  dreary  getting  along ;  for  it  does  seem 
that  the  mildew  of  slavery,  and  the  rust  of  barbarity  had  nearly 
consumed  all  the  humane,  benevolent  principles  of  the  Gospel ; 
and  Infidel  darkness,  and  savage  barbarity  are  taking  the  room 
in  maaiy  minds.     Sorrowful  to  reflect  upon  L, 

Third  day,  we  were  at  Tuckahoe  Neck,  and  fourth  day  at 
the  Neck  meeting.  Fifth  day,  we  rode  to  the  head  of  Chester. 
and  had  a  meeting  at  that  place  on  sixth  day.  Seventh  day, 
we  had  a  meeting  at  Cecil.  First  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at 
Chester  Neck.  This  ends  our  visit  in  that  Quarter  ;  and  now 
in  looking  it  over,  I  felt  deeply  to  acknowledge,  that  although 
deep,  and  sorrowful,  oft,  have  been  my  wadings  in  this  land, 
and  dark  and  gloomy  have  been  many  of  the  hours,  yet  good 
is  the  Lord,  that  in,  and  through  it  all.  His  holy  arm  hath  hith- 
erto borne  me  up,  and  sustained  in  times  of  sharpest  trials. 
He  showed  me  clearly  what  His  will  was  that  I  should  do, 
and  gave  me  fortitude,  that  I  feared  not  the  face  of  the  sons 
of  men,  and  ability  to  do  His  will  at  all  times,,  and  now 
favors  me  with  a  return  of  a  rich  and  joyful  reward.  Blessed 
and  adored  forever  be  His  Holy  name  !  Oh,  may  I  evermore 
serve  Him,  with  a  ready  and  willing  mind  ! 

Second  and  third  days,  we  spent  on  our  road  to  Maryland, 
and  had  a  meeting  at  East  Nottingham  on  4th  day.  •  Next  day, 
at  West  Nottingham.  Sixth  day  at  Eastland,  and  seventh  day 
at  Little  Britain.  On  first  day,  the  6th  of  4th  month,  we 
crossed  the  Susqu^annah  river,  and  went  to  Deer  Creek  meet- 
ing. Next  day,  we  returned  to  Dunmore,  and  had  a  meeting 
there  on  third  day.  Fifth  day,  had  a  meeting  at  Darien. 
Sixth  day,  we  w^ere  at  Westport,  and  seventh  day  at  Spencer. 
First  day,  the  13th,  reached  New  Garden,  in  Pennsylvania. 
14th,  we  were  at  Hockesson.  15th,  at  Stanton.  16th,  at 
Wilmington:  this  is  a  large  meeting.  iTth,  at  Chichester. 
18th,  at  Chesty;  both  these  were  small  meetings.     In  this  last 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  219 

little  tour,  the  Gospel  spring  ran  lively.  I  was  led  into  tlie 
state  of  several  meetings,  and  enabled  to  clear  my  mind,  to  the 
satisfaction  of  my  Friends,  and  my  own  peace.  Though  there 
is  much  rubbish  that  needed  to  be  removed  out  of  the  way, 
there  are  many  well  concerned  Friends  in  this  part  of  the  land  ; 
so  that  the  testimony  of  Truth  may  yet  be  held  up  with  clean 
hands. 

From  here,  we  went  to  Philadelphia,  to  attend  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  which  was  large.  Several  weighty  subjects  came  be- 
fore it,  which  took  up  much  time,  and  caused  deep  exercise  to 
the  rightly  concerned  and  discerning  part  of  Society.  On  one  of 
these  subjects,  I  felt  ray  mind  weightily  impressed,  and  forcibly 
drawn  to  give  a  sentiment, and  my  reasons  therefor;  for  which 
I  got  a  quick,  sharp  reply,  and  a  heavy  censure  in  the  face  of 
the  meeting.  This  occasioned  deep  searching  of  heart  for  some 
hours,  until  my  good  Master  was  pleased  to  show  me  that  all 
was  well,  as  I  had  done  His  will ;  which  gave  my  troubled  mind 
relief.  The  day  following,  the  subject  was  brought  up  again, 
and  after  much  reasoning  had  passed  on  it,  feeling  my  mind 
weightily  impressed,  I  saw  my  way  clear  to  speak  to  it  again, 
and  proceeded  calmly,  and  deliberately :  being  enabled  to  treat 
the  subject  so  clearly  in  all  its  parts,  feeling  the  authority  of 
Truth  to  accompany  the  words,  that  there  was  no  reply.  That 
subject  was  soon  disposed  of  for  that  time,  and  the  business 
passed  on  pretty  harmoniously  for  the  day.*  After  this,  there 
was  one  subject,  that  took  up  much  time  to  no  good  purpose ; 
there  being  much  of  a  libertine  spirit  in  this  country,  that  is 
inclined  to  run  out  of  order,  and  some  day  will  give  Friends 
much  trouble.  The  meeting  closed  in  a  favorable  quiet,  on 
sixth  day. 

On  first  day,  following  the  Yearly  Meeting,  we  attended 
Arch  street  meeting,  and  in  the  afternoon  we  were  at  the 
Northern  District  meeting.  Second  day,  we  were  at  Abington 
Monthly  Meeting.  Here  I  had  some  close  work  to  do,  yet  it 
was  acknowledged  there  was  cause  for  it.  Third  day,  we  at- 
tended Byberry  Monthly  Meeting,  and  fourth  day  had  an  ap- 


220  JOURNAL    OF 

pointed  meeting  in  the  snme  house.  Fifth  day,  we  had  atneet- 
iiig  at  Fnmktort.  Sixth  day,  we  attended  Germanlown  in 
course,  and  after  meetincr  we  went  to  Plymouth,  and  put  up 
with  Jacob  Albertson.  First  day,  the  4th  of  5th  month,  we 
atten-led  that  meeting.  Second  day,  we  were  at  Gwynedd 
meeting.  Third  day,  were  at  Upper  Dublin.  Through  this 
part  of  the  country  1  had  many  deep  conflicts  of  spirit  to  en- 
dure, being  much  led  into  cL)se,  plain  labor;  many  of  the  aged 
so  buried  in  the  earth,  and  some  have  fixed  themselves  in  a 
security  that  will  fail  them  in  the  end,  and  seemed  determined 
not  to  be  aroused  from  their  couches ;  while  the  young  are 
taking  their  flight  upon  the  wings  of  the  morning  of  their  day, 
in  pursuit  of  the  gaudy  trimmings  of  the  world,  and  airy,  but 
poisonous  notions,  that  are  too  prevalent  in  onr  land  ;  so  that 
mourning  has  been  my  lot,  and  my  morsel  has  been  eaten  as 
with  bitter  herbs.  The  few  who  walk  faithfully  in  the  path 
that  is  cast  up  for  the  ransomed,  have  to  keep  much  on  their 
watch,  and  walk  in  fear,  lest  the  glitter  deceive  them,  or  the 
charms  of  the  enchanter  draw  them  out  of  the  way  of  safety. 
Oh,  may  the  Lord  remember  this  once  favored  land,  and  shake 
their  earth  and  their  false  heavens,  and  gather  the  people  to  a 
foundation  that  cannot  be  shaken  ! 

The  7th  of  the  month,  we  attended  Abington  Quarterly 
Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  held  at  Horsham,  and  the 
meeting  for  wor.^hi^  and  discipline  on  fifth  day.  Sixth  day,  had 
a  meeting  at  Radnor.  Seventh  day,  at  the  Valley.  First  day, 
the  11th,  at  Charleston,  and  in  the  afternoon  was  at  Providence 
meeting.  Second  day,  at  Potts  Grove.  1 3th,  at  Exeter.  14th, 
at  Reading.  15th,  at  Maiden  Creek.  16th,  we  drove  to  Rich- 
land, almost  forty  miles.  1 7th,  we  parted  with  our  beloved 
Friend,  and  agreeable  companion,  Jacob  Albertson,  who  had 
been  wiih  us  ahout  twelve  days.  First  day,  the  18th,  we  at- 
tended Richland  meeting.  These  latter  meetings  were  gener- 
ally small  in  number  of  Friends,  yet  many  others  came  in  when 
notice  was  given — a  token  that  they  lived  peaceably  with  their 
neighbors.    Though  we  fell  in  with  a  number  of  well  concerned, 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  221 

faithful  Friends,  there  is  far  too  muf^h  assimilation  with  the 
spirit  and  cust'»ras  of  the  world,  and  a  mournful  letting  down 
the  ancient  simplicity  and  faithful  integrity  that  once  so  lieau- 
tified  our  Society ;  an<l  if  they  cannot  be  prevailed  upon  to  re- 
turn to  the  true  Shepherd  of  Israel,  and  abide  in  His  fold,  the 
effect  will  be  a  a'^eat  falling  away,  and  running  into  the  wilder- 
ness of  vain  imaginations;  from  whence  they  never  will  all  re- 
turn— a  heart  aching  view  of  the  times. 

Second  and  third  days,  we  had  meetings  at  Plumstead  and 
Solesbury,  and  went  to  John  Balderson's.  Fourth  day,  we  at- 
tended Buckingham  meeting.  It  was  very  large,  and  my  MaS' 
ter  gave  me  not  a  word  for  the  people — a  great  disappointment 
to  them — yet  I  felt  gre;at  peace  in  being  I'esigned  to  the  Lord's 
will,  believing  He  knew  best,  what  was  good  for  them  and  me. 
Fifth  and  sixth  days,  we  were  at  Makefield  and  Wr  ghtstown  ; 
in  both  meetings  I  had  satisfactory  service.  On  seventh  day, 
we  appointed  a  meeting  at  Middleton  in  the  morning,  and  an- 
other at  four  in  the  afternoon  in  Newtown,  where  was  a  large 
gathering,  mostly  not  members  of  our  Society.  I  soon  found 
that  my  lips  were  sealed,  which  caused  deep  searching  of  heart, 
and  close  enquiry  whether  the  appointment  was  right,  but 
could  not  see  anything  amiss  on  my  part,  and  was  favored  to 
settle  down  resignecl,  in  a  quiet  feeling  of  mind.  Almost  at 
the  same  instant,  in  stepped  a  public  Friend  from  New  England, 
on  a  religious  visit.  I  was  glad  to  see  him.  It  was  not  long 
before  he  was  well  furnished  with  good  matter  and  Gospel  au- 
thority. It  was  a  favored  time,  and  truly  strengthening  and 
comforting  to  my  mind,  standing  resigned  to  the  Lord's  putting 
forth.  After  meeting,  tiie  Frieu'l  told  me  that  he  heard  of  the 
appointment,  and  felt  a  draught  to  come  to  it,  but  hesitated 
some  time,  thinking  he  might  be  in  the  way,  or  intrude,  until 
it  was  so  heavy  on  him  that  he  was  afraid  to  forbear,  and 
thought  he  now  saw  it  was  best  to  believe  and  obey  his  good 
Master;  for  had  he  not  delayeJ,  he  might  have  been  in  better 
season. 

We  returned  to  Buckingham,  and  attended  that  meeting  on 


222  JOURNAL    OP 

first  day,  the  25tb,  and  way  was  opened  to  relieve  my  mind 
pretty  fully.  After  meeting,  we  went  to  Thomas  Carey's,  a 
Friend,  who  had  been  with  us  several  days.  On  second  day, 
we  had  a  meeting  at  a  place  called  Milton,  and  on  third  day, 
came  the  meeting  for  Ministers  and  Elders  of  Buckingham 
Quarter,  and  on  fourth  day,  the  meeting  for  worship  and  dis- 
cipline. Tliough  I  passed  this  meeting  in  much  exercise,  I  had 
no  liberty  to  impart  to  them  what  I  saw  and  felt,  but  enjoyed 
a  peaceful  mind,  in  being  willing  to  fill  up  my  measure  in  silent 
suff'ering.  After  the  Quarter,  we  went  to  Falls,  Penn's  Manor, 
and  Bristol,  and  had  meetings  at  each  place.  At  the  latter, 
my  mind  was  clothed  with  Gospel  life  and  love,  and  utterance 
given  ;  the  like  I  had  not  felt  for  a  length  of  time,  for  it  had 
been  much  my  lot  in  this  land  to  labor  in  a  plain,  simple  style, 
not  at  all  pleasing  to  the  tasfy,  but  best  pleasing  to  my  Master, 
or  He  would  have  given  it  otherwise,  and  I  was  content  to 
please  Ilim. 

From  here,  we  returned  to  Philadelphia,  to  John  Morton's, 
our  former  home.  Third  day,  attended  the  Northern  Meeting, 
had  nothing  for  them  but  the  example  of  silence,  which  has 
often  been  my  lot  of  late,  and  however  trying  to  the  people 
this  may  be,  I  find  my  peace  much  depends  on  keeping  re- 
signed to  the  Lord's  will,  and  being  careful  not  to  be  drawn  to 
utter  words  by  the  spirit  of  the  people,  without  Gospel  author- 
ity, for  this  would  never  profit  the  people,  or  build  up  the  ways 
of  Zion.  After  this,  we  attended  Green  street,  Marion,  and 
Haverford  meetings.  In  these  last,  I  was  enabled  to  clear  my 
raind  in  a  plain,  close  way,  so  as  to  feel  quite  peaceful. 

On  second  day,  the  9th  of  6th  month,  we  had  a  meeting  at 
Darby,  an  ancient  settlement  of  Friends  and  a  large  meeting ; 
but  an  enemy  had  got  among  them.  I  was  led  in  a  very  close 
and  pointed  manner,  and  had  to  tell  them  what  it  was,  and  how 
it  was  that  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Gospel  was  formed 
with,  and  amongst  brethren,  and  that  it  was  kept  only  by  abi- 
ding in  the  Truth,  that  first  formed  the  unity,  and  those  who 
went  out  of  the  Truth,  broke  the  unity.     In  vain  it  was  for 


JOSEPH    IIOAG.  223 

those  to  call  for  unity  who  had  gone  out  of  it ;  for  those  who 
kept  in  the  Truth,  were  bound  in  the  bonds  of  the  Gospel  to 
stand  by  the  Truth  and  support  its  honor.  There  was  no  other 
way  to  enjoy  the  unity,  but  for  those  who  were  out  of  the 
Truth  to  return  to  their  first  love,  and  mend  their  own  faults, 
as  none  othisr  could  mend  them  for  them  ;  that  would  heal  the 
breach,  and  their  brethren  would  receive  them  with  open  arms. 
Some  of  them  turned  and  twisted  about,  and  some  wept.  Af- 
ter meeting,  I  was  told  by  a  Minister  of  that  place,  that  if  I ' 
had  lived  amongst  them,  I  could  not  have  gone  through  the 
situation  of  their  meeting  more  exact ;  and  with  tears  running 
down  her  cheeks,  expressed,  she  hoped  it  would  be  of  use,  and 
do  them  good — a  humbling  time  to  me,  in  that  it  was  a  re- 
newed confirmation  that  I  was  in  my  Master's  field  of  labor, 
and  that  He  was  leading  me  about  to  do  His  will ;  and  that  I 
may  be  preserved  to  do  it  is  my  chief  desire,  for  this  have  I 
chosen  for  my  meat  and  my  drink. 

We  passed  from  here  to  .Springfield,  Newton,  Middletown, 
and  Providence,  having  meetings  at  all  these  places,  and  felt 
the  arm  of  the  blessed  God  of  Jacob  to  be  underneath,  to  bear 
up  and  carry  through  all  the  exercises  allotted  me.  On  sev- 
enth day,  we  had  no  meeting,  it  being  market  day.  First 
day,  the  15th,  we  were  at  Williston  in  the  morning,  and  at  a 
Goshen  in  the  afternoon,  both  large,  favored  meetings.  Sec- 
ond day,  we  were  at  Westchester,  and  third  day,  at  Birming- 
ham. Between  these  meetings  we  visited  West-town  school, 
which  appeared  to  be  kept  in  beautiful  order,  and  much  sim- 
plicity. Fourth  day,  we  were  at  Concord.  Fifth  day,  at  Cen- 
ter. Sixjfeh  day,  at  Kennet.  Seventh  day,  was  at  Marlborough. 
First  day,  the  22d,  was  at  Kennet  Square.  Second  day,  at 
London  Grove.  From  there  we  went  to  Dunmore,  and  attend- 
ed their  meeting  on  fourth  day.  Fifth  day,  at  Little  Britain 
again.  This  ends  our  visit  in  Pennsylvania,  for  the  present. 
We  crossed  the  Susquehannah  to  Deer  Creek,  and  put  up  at  the 
house  of  Samuel  Coles,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day, 
the  29th.  Second  day,  had  a  meeting  at  Dublin.  Third  day,  we 


224  JOURNAL  or 

liad  a  meeting  at  Thomas'  Run.  4th,  we  appointed  a  meeting  at 
Bel  Air.  On  fifth  day,  we  attended  the  Little  Falls  Prepara- 
tive Meeting.  It  was  trying  to  my  mind,  to  go  to  so  many 
meetings,  where  I  had  so  lately  been,  but  my  good  Master  was 
kind  and  true  to  me,  and  gave  me  to  see  what  he  sent  me  back 
for,  and  ability  to  do  all  he  required,  and  rewarded  well  my 
obedience.  After  meeting,  we  rode  to  Baltimore.  Beino- 
much  fatigued  and  some  unwell,  we  lay  by  until  first  day,  the 
6th  of  7th  month,  where  we  attended  both  meetings  in  the 
city,  where  painful,  heart-aching  labor  was  my  lot.  Second  day, 
rode  to  Alexandria.  3d,  rode  to  Occoquan,  and  had  a  satisfac- 
tory meeting  there  in  the  evening.  Fourth  day,  we  rode  to  Dum- 
fries, and  had  a  meeting  tliere  just  at  evening.  5th,  passed  on 
to  Fredericksburg.  Sixth  day,  we  had  a  satisfactory,  comfortable 
meeting  at  that  place.  After  meeting  we  rode  to  Carlisle,  and 
lodged  with  Joseph  Terrii.  Next  morning  we  reached  Cedar 
Creek  Monthly  Meeting,  where  T  had  close  labor;  showing  that 
those  who  ruled  in  the  Lord's  house,  ought  not  to  lord  over 
God's  heritage  ;  for  where  any  lorded  over  their  brethren,  the 
lambs  could  not  grow  up  in  good  liking,  and  the  flock  was  not 
healthy.  Though  some  of  the  great  ones  looked  Romev\hat 
shy  on  me,  T  felt  such  serene  peace,  that  I  was  satisfied.  I  had 
the  Lord  for  my  leader,  with  which  I  was  content,  let  what 
would  come.  After  meeting,  we  went  to  Micajah  Crew's  to 
dinner,  and  proceeded  to  Richmond,  and  attended  that  meet- 
ino"  with  the  few  Friends  of  that  place,  and  another  at  four  in 
the  afternoon,  appointed  by  Isaac  Hammer,  a  Dutch  Friend, 
from  Tennessee.  He  was  small  in  tlie  Ministry,  but  sound  and 
weighty  in  spirit.  Both  these  meetings  were  attended  hy  ma- 
ny not  of  our  Society,  and  Gospel  truths  fl>\ved  to  them  freely. 
Second  day,  the  14th,  we  went  to  Petersburgh.  Third  day, 
rode  to  Gravelly  Run,  and  had  a  meeting  at  5  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  and  lodged  with  John  Andrews.  Fourth  day,  we 
journeyed  to  Stanton,  and  attended  that  Preparative  Meeting 
on  fifth  day.  The  meetings  of  Friends  here  are  generally  very 
small,  many  having  moved  away  on  account  of  slavery,  and 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  225 

many  of  the  young  people  marrying  into  slave-holding  families, 
and  of  course  go  from  Friends;  so  that  the  prospect  is  that 
Friends  must  cease  to  be  a  people  in  the  slave-holding  coun- 
tries, unless  a  great  alteration  should  tahe  place  with  ihe  iidiab- 
itants  at  large,  which  there  is  no  prospect  c)f,  short  of  the  strong 
hand  of  Divine  interposition.  For  to  see  the  poor  blacks 
crowded  into  little  lints,  like  bocrs  in  a  pen,  or  sheep  in  a  y^rd, 
all  ao-es  and  sexes  together — and  their  masters  strive  to  have  it 
as  much  so  as  they  can,  in  f'rder  to  eradicate  all  feelings  of  hu- 
manity, honor,  modesty,  or  virtue — and  plead  it  is  best  for  the 
blacks,  that  they  are  less  sensible  of  their  depravity.  This  is 
not  all;  the  masters  even  sell  their  own  Mulatto  children  to 
make  their  white  children  rich.  In  general,  the  blacks  are 
talked  to,  and  used  more  like  brutes  than  the  human  family. 
Chihlren  from  eight  to  twelve  years  of  age,  would  talk  to  aged, 
gray -headed  men  and  women,  and  call  them  black  dogs,  and 
worse  names  than  a  civil  man  would  call  his  dog  by;  yet  the 
poor  things  dare  not  show  any  resentment.  I  often,  said  in  my 
heart,  "  IIovv  long  will  this  be  suffered  ? "  Wl)ile  my  heart  was 
ready  to  melt  with  compassion  for  the  black  people,  my 
thoughts  were  often  turned  to  look  over  the  white  people's  sit- 
uation ;  a  people  endued  with  superior  light  and  talents,  capac- 
itated to  be  eyes  to  the  blind,  and  leaders  of  the  ignorant  ;  but 
are  so  far  the  reverse,  that  they  seem  bent  to  display  the 
utmost  stretch  of  their  power,  and  gratify  their  own  wills,  and 
to  grind  down  the  poor  blacks  as  much  below  the  dumb  ani- 
mals as  they  can.  Thus,  in  musing  and  looking  over  the  state 
of  this  wretched  country,  and  seeing  that  the  whites,  for  a  few 
days  of  fleeting  pleasure,  were  preparing  themselves  to  the  nt- 
most  of  their  power,  for  the  never  ending  aii'es  of  eternity  to  be 
thecon  pmions  of  demons,  and  for  that  place,  where  the  fii-e 
shall  never  be  quenched;  their  w<>rm  dieth  not  and  the  tire  is 
not  quenchel.^  And  to  reason  with,  or  j>reach  to  them  seemed 
to  have  no  more  effect,  than  water  poured  upon  a  rock.  This 
appears  to  be  the  state  of  the  ruling  class  of  the  people,  w  hile 
there  is  another  class  who  use  their  slaves  more  humanely;  and 


22G  '  JOURNAL    OF 

still  another  class  who  would  be  glad  to  free  their  blacks,  if  the 
laws  of  the  land  would  protect  them.  And  these  last  are  des- 
pised by  the  others  ;  so  that  musing  on  their  situation,  my  sleep 
often  left  me,  my  appetite  failed  for  food,  and  I  became  feeble  ; 
feeling  a  necessity  laid  on  me  to  be  faithful  in  every  place,  and 
with  all  people  to  whom  I  had  anything  in  charge  from  my 
Master,  feeling  a  heavy  woe  if  I  gave  back,  so  that  my  compan- 
ion often  thought  I  hazarded  my  life.  I  have  no  language  to 
set  forth  so  that  another  can  realize  what  I  passed  through  in 
these  varied  exercises,  unless  they  are  placed  i;i  a  similar  situa- 
tion. I  verily  feared  I  should  lay  my  bones  in  this  gloomy 
land.  Yet,  marvelous  to  reflect  upon,  T  was  never  once  drawn 
into  action,  either  public  or  in  private,  but  that  the  fear  of  man 
was  taken  from  me.  They  appeared  no  more  to  me  than  grass- 
hoppers, in  the  time  of  action  ;  and  I  felt  no  want  of  matter  or 
language,  to  confute  their  reasoning,  or  confound  their  boast  in 
favor  of  slavery.  I  suppose  I  was  attacked  in  my  travels  in  th§se 
slave  states,  more  than  one  hundred  times ;  and  sometimes  by  the 
learned  and  great.  So  that  in  all  of  these  disputes  my  great  and 
good  Master  furnished  and  helped  me,  they  were  always  brought 
to  acknowledge,  (withbut  two  exceptions  that  I  remember  of),  that 
it  was  wrong  to  hold  their  fellow  creatures  in  slavery,  and  were 
convinced  it  was  contrary  to  every  attribute  of  the  Divine  be- 
ing. And  then  would  exclaim,  what  shall  we  do,  we  have  got 
them,  and  it  will  not  do  to  free  them  and  let  them  be  amongst 
us ;  they  would  overrun  us — and  to  wind  up,  we  must  keep 
them  in  slavery,  and  as  ignorant  as  we  can  for  our  own  safety ; 
and  seemed  determined  not  to  admit  the  thought,  that  it  was 
the  Lord  who  had  opened  their  eyes,  and  if  He  was  sought  unto, 
could,  and  doubtless  would,  grant  wisdom  and  open  a  way, 
which  would  be  right  and  good  for  both  black  and  white.  But, 
as  there  is  a  standing  against  Divine  justice  and  mercy  with 
their  eyes  open,  G-od  will  not  be  mocked,  neither  will  His  jus- 
tice always  slumber.  O,  may  the  Lord,  in  the  counsels  of  His 
great  wisdom,  open  a  way  for  the  oppressed,  to  be  set  free  with 
out  the  effusion  of  a  river  of  blood. 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  227 

Sixth  day,  the  18th,  we  returned  to  Gravelly  Run.  19th,  at- 
tended that  Monthly  Meeting,  and  was  comforted,  having  the 
company  of  a  number  of  solid,  lively  spirited  Friends.  First 
day,  the  20th,  we  attended  that  meeting  again,  and  attended 
an  appointed  meeting  at  five  in  the  afternoon  at  Petersburg. 
21st,  rode  to  Burleigh,  and  attended  an  appointed  meeting 
there  in  the  afternoon.  22d,  we  rode  to  Staunton.  23d,  rode 
to  Vichs ;  having  stopped  on  our  way  at  Jerusalem,  and  had  a 
satisfactory  meeting  in  that  place.  24th  we  got  our  carriage 
mended.  25th,  we  rode  to  Murphysboro'  and  had  a  meeting 
there  at  five  in  the  afternoon,  amongst  staunch  Presbyterians, 
who  came  on  their  guard  ;  and  far  beyond  my  expectation.  He 
who  hath  all  power  given  Him  in  heaven  and  earth  was  pleased 
to  open  a  gentle  stream,  in  Gospel  light  and  love,  which  drew 
the  attention  of  the  people,  so  that  they  forgot  their  coats  of 
mail,  and  the  stream  increased  to  a  river.  Gospel  truths  flow- 
ed freely  and  forcibly,  and  settled  solidly  on  the  meeting,  and 
it  ended  quietly.  So  that  the  people  acknowledged  they  were 
satisfied ;  that  what  they  had  heard  were  gospel  truths.  And 
the  Lord  was  pleased  for  His  own  name's  sake  to  exalt  the 
Truth  this  day,  in  the  eyes  of  the  people.  Blessed  be  His  holy 
name ! 

Seventh  day,  26th,  we  rode  to  Rich  Square,  and  went  to 
Jesse  Outland's.  First  day,  2'7th,  we  attended  that  meeting 
and  had  good  service.  28th,  we  set  forward  for  Mattimuskeet, 
and  arrived  there  the  31st.  We  had  a  meeting  there  with 
Friends,  1st  day  of  8th  month.  Seventh  day,  we  had  a  meeting 
with  the  Baptists  up  the  Lake.  First  day,  the  3d,  we  had  a 
meeting  at  the  lower  end  of  the  Lake,  in  a  Methodist  house. 
The  meeting  was  large  and  the  people  were  civil  and  attentive. 
In  this  place  I  saw  a  master  beat  a  colored  person  wickedly 
with  a  knotty  cudgel.  It  moved  my  feelings  so,  that  when  the 
master  got  over  his  fret,  I  told-  what  I  thought  of  such  conduct. 
He  seemed  to  resent  it  for  a  while,  and  rose  three  times  from 
his  seat,  either  to  frighten  or  give  me  a  blow.  But  it  did  not 
move  rny  feelings  with  fear  at  all.     I  kept  my  eye  fixed  on  his, 


228  JOURNAL    OF 

and  coTitinned  my  speech  until  he  sat  down,  and  kept  quiet, 
hung  his  head  and  heard  me  through,  then  acknowledged  it 
was  nt»t  right  to  hold  them  in  slavery,  or  use  tliem  so.  Upon 
this,  after  making  a  few  remarks,  we  closed  the  discourse  and 
parted.  I  left  him  with  a  loaded  mind,  which  I  hope  will  pro- 
duce some  good  effect.  We  had  a  meeting  the  same  day  on 
the  South  side  of  the  Lake,  at  the  Baptist  meeling-house,  which 
was  also  large,  and  the  people  gave  good  attention.  Hereaway, 
the  Lord  in  the  riches  of  his  mercy  and  love  to  the  people, 
plentifully  furnished  with  matter  and  utterance,  though  niuch 
of  it  seemed  to  me  like  the  rain  that  falls  on  the  barren  land 
and  rocks,  where  it  can  make  no  entrance  to  profit,  but  has  to 
make  its  way  to  the  valleys  and  streams,  and  return  to  the 
fountain  from  whence  it  was  taken.  Tiie  Lord's  will  must  be 
done.  The  barren  land  must  be  rained  on  as  well  as  the  fertile 
soil. 

After  this  last  meeting  we  rode  eighteen  miles  on  our  way 
towards  Core  Sound  to  a  place  called  Gcrmantown,  where  we 
had  a  meeting  with  a  parcel  of  slaveholders,  where  the  Lord 
my  Redeemer  strengthened  my  mind  to  bear  a  faithful  testimo- 
ny, for  the  cause  of  Truth  and  Justice.  Third  day  and  fourth 
day  we  journeyed  to  Washington.  Fifth  day  we  had  a  pretty 
full  meeting  in  that  village,  where  the  Most  High  for  His  own 
name's  sake,  and  in  mercy  to  the  people,  was  graciously  pleas- 
ed to  give  strength  and  ability  to  bear  a  faithful  testimony  to 
the  noble  cause  of  justice,  mercy  and  Truth,  in  that  authority 
which  prevailed  over  all  opposition,  and  Truth  reigned  for  that 
time.  Sixth  day,  the  8th  of  the  month,  in  Newberne,  my  com- 
panion was  taken  very  sick ;  also  our  pilot  and  myself  became 
quite  unwell.  This  brought  deep  thoughtfulness  over  my 
mind,  it  being  a  very  sickly,  dying  time  in  all  the  lowland 
country  that  we  could  hear  from,  with  man  and  beast.  We 
saw  hogs  and  horses  dying  by  the  side  of  the  road  frequently, 
as  we  traveled.  After  considering  our  situation  seriously,  and 
asking  counsel  of  my  Master,  I  felt  my  mind  clearly  at  liberty 
to  turn  our  course  for  Contentney,  and  get  into  the  hilly,  heal- 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  ^29 

thy  country,  as  soon  as  we  conld.  It  took  us  until  the  12th  to 
get  thei-e.  Being  much  fatigued  and  sick,  we  stopped  with 
Friends  here  a  few  days,  and  attended  their  meeting  on  fourth 
day.  Fifth  day  we  attended  another  meeting  in  those  parts. 
Sixth  day  we  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Holly  Springs,  to 
good  satisfaction.  We  then  set  forward  for  Eno,  and  arrived 
there  the  18tli  of  the  month.  We  stayed  about  here  several 
days.  I  had  a  meeting  about  five  miles  from  Eno,  much  to  the 
relief  of  my  mind.  My  companion  was  prevented  from  being 
with  me,  by  indisposition.  We  attended  Eno  meeting  as  it 
came  in  course.  Seventh-day  we  attended  Providence  Monthly 
Meeting.     I  was  well  satisfied  in  being  with  Friends  here. 

First  day,  the  24th,  we  attended  New  Garden  meeting.  North 
Carolina.  At  this  parting  opportunity,  the  Master  of  Israel's 
assemblies,  favored  with  His  life  giving  presence,  to  the  glad- 
ening  of  many  hearts.  On  second-day  we  lay  by,  and  my  com- 
panion becoming  more  sick,  and  myself  quite  unwell,  we  felt 
most  easy  to  turn  our  course  for  Alexandria,  where  was  a  phy- 
sician with  whom  1  had  formed  some  acquaintance,  under 
whose  care  I  felt  desirous  of  placing  my  companion.  On  third 
day  we  set  forward,  the  distance  being  over  three  hundred 
miles,  the  way  we  traveled.  The  weather  being  very  warm, 
and  our  horses  much  fatigued  and  we  both  sickly,  it  took  us 
nine  days  to  reach  there.  By  this  time  my  companion  had 
become  so  ill,  that  I  was  somewhat  alarmed.  The  doctor  was 
soon  sent  for ;  he  readily  gave  medicine  which  had  a  good  ef- 
fect, so  that  in  about  a  week,  my  companion  was  getting  smart 
and  lively.  While  here,  I  attended  Friends  mid-week  meeting, 
and  their  fore  and  afternoon  meetings,  the  7th  of  9th  month. 
In  all  these  meetings  I  had  good  satisfaction  in  sitting  with 
Friends,  though  I  had  not  much  public  service  amongst  them, 
but  felt  that  peace  that  satisfied  me.  We  continued  here  until 
fourth  day  morning,  when  we  movt^d  forward  to  attend  the  lit- 
tle meeting  in  the  city  of  Washington,  where  our  Friends 
showed  great  gladness  to  see  us.  It  was  truly  comfortable  to 
be  with  them  a^ain. 


230  JOURNAL    OF 

On  fifth  day  we  moved  on  towards  Baltimore.  The  weather 
yet  warm,  and  my  companion  not  having  got  strong,  we  went 
jio  further  than  Samuel  Snowden's,  who  received  us  kindly. 
We  staid  here  (my  companion  being  feeble,)  until  seventh  day. 
Then  went  to  Baltimore,  to  our  old  home  at  John  McKim's, 
who  with  his  wife  received  us  kindly.  First  day,  the  14th,  we 
attended  the  upper  meeting  in  the  morning.  In  this  meeting 
I  was  led  largely  to  warn  Friends,  against  speculative  inquiries, 
and  embracing  unfounded  notions ;  for  this  would  lead  to  disbe- 
lief of  all  former  revelations,  as  testified  in  the  Holy  Scriptures ; 
and  to  reject  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ, 
as  testified  by  the  apostles ;  and  would  finally  end  in  dark  infi- 
delity. And  the  propagators  of  those  dark  principles  would 
often  go  or  creep  about  slily  under  the  mask  of  religion,  and 
bring  forward  questions  calculated  to  puzzle  the  unguarded 
mind.  For  should  they  show  at  once  what  they  were  at,  they 
would  alarm  and  lose  their  object.  And  just  so  the  devil 
works  ;  first  get  hold,  and  then  lead  on  to  destruction ;  and  so 
do  those  first  get  the  mind  shaken,  and  then  introduce  their 
dark  principles  ;  and  they  creep  about  to  do  it  under  the 
mask  of  religion,  as  the  serpent  crept  on  his  belly.  I  had 
to  warn  Friends  to  be  on  their  guard.  While  I  was  on  my 
feet  speaking,  there  were  two  members  of  our  Society,  who  sat 
near  me,  (and  who  I  had  noticed  to  be  quite  active  in  their  meet- 
ings for  discipline,)  who  got  up  with  an  air  that  showed  dis- 
composure, and  went  out,  and  round,  and  came  in  at  the  back 
door  and  placed  themselves  as  far  from  me  as  they  well  could ; 
but  through  mercy  it  did  not  jostle  or  move  me.  After  meet- 
ing a  number  of  Friends  expressed  their  full  satisfaction  with 
my  being  with  them  as  I  was.  My  good  Master  richly  reward- 
ed me  for  blowing  my  ram's  horn  faithfully  against  the  harlot's 
walls.  In  the  afternoon  we  attended  the  Old  Meeting.  Here 
I  had  to  dip  deep  in  sympathy  with  the  oppressed,  and  to 
mourn  with  the  afflicted,  and  to  encourage  them  to  steadfast 
patience,  that  they  might  obtain  the  immortal  crown  when  time 
with  them  should  be  no  more. 


JOSEPH   HO AG.  231 

Third  day,  we  drove  to  Gunpowder.  4th,  att^ded  that 
meeting.  Notice  being  given,  it  was  large  and  much  favored. 
Fifth  day,  rode  to  Little  York.  Sixth  day,  we  rode  to  Columbia, 
on  the  Susquehanna,  arriving  there  in  season  to  liave  a  meeting 
in  the  evening,  which  was  full,  and  closed  to  my  satisfaction.  Sev- 
enth day,  we  drove  to  Robeson,  forty-five  miles.  First  day,  the 
21st,  we  attended  that  meeting  in  Pennsylvania.  We  lodged 
at  Rebecca  Scarlet's.  Second  day,  we  drove  to  West  Cain.  Third 
day,  we  had  a  meeting  there.  Fourth  day,  we  were  at  East 
Cain  meeting.  Fifth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Bradford.  Sixth 
day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Downington.  Seventh  day,  we  had 
a  meeting  at  TJwchland.  First  day,  28th,  we  were  at  Bradford 
again.     Second  day,  we  had   a  meeting  at  Pikeland.     Third 

day,  30th,  at  Whi .     Fourth  day,  1st  of  10th  month,  we 

lay  by  at  our  esteemed  Friend,  Jacob  Albertson's.  The  next 
day,  attended  their  Monthly  Meeting,  at  Plymouth.  In  the 
meeting  for  worship,  I  was  entirely  shut  up.  In  that  for  busi- 
ness, my  mind  was  furnishea  in  a  short  testimony  with  a  few, 
clear,  plain  remarks  that  settled  on  the  meeting  like  dew  upon 
herbs.  After  meeting  we  went  to  Germantown.  Sixth  day, 
we  passed  through  Philadelphia,  and  crossed  the  Delaware  at 
Waterford,  and  went  to  Benjamin  Cooper's,  in  New  Jersey. 
Seventh  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Newton.  First  day,  5th, 
we  were  at  Westfieldin  the  morning,  and  at  Chester  in  the  af- 
ternoon. Second  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Evesham.  Third 
day,  we  were  at  Easton  meeting.  Fourth  day,  we  attended 
meeting  at  Upper  Evesham.  Fifth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at 
Cropwell.  Sixth  day,  had  a  meeting  at  Iladdonfield,  and  re- 
turned to  Cropwell,  and  attended  Evesham  Monthly  Meeting  ; 
and  had  a  meeting  appointed  at  four  o'clock,  at  the  Cross- 
roads, among  Presbyterians,  where  Friends  had  seemed  very 
backward  in  consenting  for  me  to  appoint  one.  Yet,  several 
Friends  attended  and  frankly  acknowledged  after  meeting,  that 
the  appointment  was  right,  and  that  Truth  arose  in  dominion, 
beyond  what  they  had  any  idea  of.  It  has  been  much  my  lot 
through  a  number  of  meetings,  to  stand  much  alone,  and  made 


232  JOURNAL  OF 

to  feel  tlie  sure  stepping  stones,  there  being  so  much  ease  and 
self-security  in  this  part  of  the  land  ;  so  that  if  the  bow  is  not 
drawn  in  full  strength,  t!ie  arrow  never  enters.  Yet,  there  are 
a  number  who  are  endeavoring  to  be  what  they  ought  to  be. 
But  there  are  so  many  dead  weights  around  them,  I  think  it 
must  often  cause  them  deep  wadings  to  keep  their  standing  at 
all  times,  and  fill  up  their  measures.  May  the  Lord  keep  and 
support  them,  and  add  to  their  number ! 

First  day,  the  12th,  we  attended  Newton  meeting  again,  and 
traveled  twelve  miles,  and  attended  an  appointed  meeting  the 
4tb  hour  in  the  afternoon,  at  a  place  called  Green-tree.  From 
here  we  returned  to  Haddonfield,  and  attended  their  Monthly 
Meeting  on  second  day,  and  rode  to  Woodbridge,  and  had  a 
meeting  at  that  place  on  third  day.  Fourth  day,  I  attended  a 
little  meeting  at  Chestnut  Ridge.  Fifth  dnj,  we  had  a  meeting 
at  Woolwich.  Sixth  day,  had  a  meeting  at  Upper  Greenwich. 
Seventh  day,  we  had  a  meeting  ^t  Penn's  Neck.  First  day, 
the  19th,  we  attended  Piles  grove  meeting.  Second  day,  we 
had  a  meeting  at  Salem,  and  third  day,  at  Alloway's  Creek. 
Fourth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Greenwich,  Cumberland 
County.  The  next  meeting  was  at  Morris  River,  and  another 
at  Morris  River  Point.  Seventh  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Ce- 
darville,  and  returned  to  Morris  River,  and  attended  that  meet- 
ing again  on  first  day,  the  26th.  I  had  much  Gospel  labor  in 
this  part  of  the  country.  A  number  of  the  meetings  I  have  no- 
ted, were  where  no  Friends  live.  May  the  Lord  bless  the  labor ! 
We  next  went  to  Cape  May,  where  we  found  a  little  meeting 
much  laid  waste  by  the  bad  conduct  of  a  Minister.  The  next 
we  v\  ent  to  Great  Egg  Haibor.  Here  we  found  a  small,  weak 
meeting.  We  crossed  the  water  to  Little  Egg  Harbor,  and 
found  a  body  of  Friends.  Among  them  there  was  a  number  of 
well-minded,  lively-concerned  members;  we  had  a  comfortable 
meeting  with  them.  We  passed  on  to  Martha  Fearney's,  and 
had  a  meeting  there  ;  and  had  another  at  Bastoe  Furnace,  and 
though  they  were  civil,  they  were  a  hardy  people  to  preach  to. 
W<3  had  a  satisfactory  meeting  at  the  Bank,  where  we  staid  the 


JOSEPH   HO AG.  233 

night  with  David  Mapes,  a  colored  man,  who  is  a  respectable 
Friend.  From  here  we  returned  to  John  Hallock's,  at  Tucker- 
ton,  the  4th  of  the  11th  month.  Fourth  day,  we  went  to  Bar- 
negat.  Fifth  day,  we  had  a  small  meeting  with  Friends  there. 
Sixth  day,  we  went  to  Squanham,  and  had  a  meeting  with  the 
inhabitants  of  that  place,  and  seventh  day,  had  a  meeting  at 
Squan. 

Though  I  have  thought  best  not  to  make  many  exposing  re- 
marks, yet  there  is  one  subject  I  feel  most  easy  to  notice.  In 
passing  through  the  southern  and  southeastern  parts  of  Phila- 
delphia Yearly  Meeting,  I  found  active  members  in  the  Society, 
carrying  on  the  distillery  business,  buying  up  grain  to  make 
whisky  of,  and  selling  their  liquor  by  wholesale  or  retail,  to 
any  one,  or  in  any  way,  that  would  bring  gain  to  the  seller. 
Some  merchants  sold  by  wholesale,  and  some  by  retail ;  others, 
who  kept  public  houses,  would  sell  by  small  measure  to  their 
neighbors,  until  they  were  drunk.  These  different  branches 
were  carried  on  in  several  parts  of  that  Yearly  Meeting,  and 
I  was  credibly  informed,  also,  to  some  extent  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.  This  subject  lying  heavily  on  my  mind,  I  felt  a 
necessity  at  times  to  labor  faithfully  with  Friends  thereon,  for 
which  I  was  heavily  censured  by  some.  Notwithstanding  this, 
I  was  made  willing  to  bear  a  faithful  testimony  against  those 
evils  whenever  my  Master  required  it  of  me  ;  who  renewed  the 
bow  in  my  hand,  which  caused  sundry  attacks  in  a  private  way. 
When  I  came  to  bring  into  view  the  inconsistency  of  destroy- 
ing so  much  of  the  grain,  that  should  be  for  food ;  and  so  far 
from  supporting  human  nature,  it  became  a  great  destroyer  of 
it,  worse  in  many  places  than  the  sword ;  and  so  also  with  the 
sweet  of  the  cane,  and  the  goodly  juice  of  the  grape  made  into 
spirits,  that  it  augmented  the  burden  of  slavery.  When  I 
brought  these  views  before  Friends  in  a  calm,  clear  and  solid 
manner,  with  the  baneful  effects  thereof  in  our  land,  and  the 
inconsistency  for  Friends,  professing  as  we  do,  to  be  actors  in 
and  actual  encouragers  of  all  those  evils,  so  incompatable  with 
the  philanthropy  and  precepts  of  the  Gospel,  that  they  could 
15 


234  JOURNAL   OF 

not  Le  reconciled ;  these  reasons,  with  the  energy  that  my  good 
Master  favored  me  with,  both  in  and  out  of  meetings,  silenced 
all  opposition ;  and  sometimes  brought  to  a  full  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  truth  of  the  sentiments.  Yet,  through  all  these 
painful  straits,  I  had  consolation  in  finding  my  Great  and  good 
Master  always  true  to  His  promise,  that  He  would  be  with  me 
in  all  my  trials,  a  ready  and  sufficient  helper  in  every  needful 
time.  Gloriously  good  is  He  in  all  His  attributes ;  worthy  to 
be  honored,  worshiped  and  obeyed,  and  His  Holy  name  praised 
forevermore ! 

First  day,  the  9th  of  11th  month,  we  attended  Shrewsbury 
meeting.  10th,  at  Long  Branch.  11th,  at  Poplar  Swamp, 
and  a  meeting  in  the  evening  at  Edington.  AU  these  were 
favored,  satisfactory  meetings.  12th,  attended  the  Select  Quar- 
terly meeting  at  Shrewsbury,  and  at  four  in  the  afternoon,  we 
had  an  appointed  meeting  in  the  neighborhood  of  Black  Point, 
which  was  acceptable  to  the  people,  and  satisfactory  to  us. 
13th,  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  worship  and  discipline ; 
ia  both  of  which,  it  was  my  lot  and  business  to  fill  up  my  meas- 
ure in  suffering  silence ;  being  made  sensible  there  was  more 
of  a  disposition  to  hear  tell  of  good  things,  than  to  practice 
them.  14th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  a  place  called  Highlands. 
15th,  at  Middleton  village.  First  day,  the  16th,  we  attended 
Shrewsbury  meeting,  and  had  another  in  the  afternoon  at  a 
place  called  the  Falls.  I7th,  we  rode  to  the  East  Branch,  and 
had  a  meeting  with  the  people  there  on  the  18th.  19th,  we 
had  a  meeting  at  Upper  Freehold.  In  most  of  these  meetings, 
my  Lord  and  Master  favored  me  with  His  Holy  presence,  and 
caused  the  Gospel  spring  to  run  freely,  and  settle  on  the  peo- 
ple as  the  dew  on  the  tender  grass.  In  some  of  tlie  old  meet- 
ings my  Master  laid  it  on  me  to  dig  about  the  fruitless  fig  trees, 
and  endeavor  to  enliven  the  soil  with  Gospel  counsel.  20th, 
we  were  at  Upper  Springfield  meeting  in  the  morning,  and  at 
another  meeting  in  the  afternoon  at  the  Mount.  21st,  at  Vin- 
centown,  and  another  in  the  evening  at  Mount  Holly.  22d, 
had  a  meeting  at  old  Springfield.     First  day,  the  23d,  we  were 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  235 

at  Mansfield  meeting.  In  some  of  these  last  meetings,  I  was 
not  only  constrained  to  dig  about  ttem,  but  closely  to  examine 
tbe  roots,  and  show  the  people  what  manner  of  fruit,  old,  cor- 
rupt, unsound  roots  would  bring  forth,  warning  the  people,  and 
closely  admonishing  some  to  seek  the  Great  Healer  of  maladies 
for  soundness. 

24th,  attended  the  Select  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Burlington, 
held  at  Chesterfield,  and  next  day  the  meeting  for  worship  and 
discipline.  26th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Rancocus.  27th,  we 
attended  Burlington  meeting,  where  I  was  led  into  plain,  close 
labor,  for  which  I  enjoyed. peace.  28th,  we  had  a  meeting  at 
Lower  Mansfield.  29th,  at  Bordentown.  First  day,  the  30th, 
attended  Crosswicks  meeting,  and  in  the  evening  had  a  large 
meeting  in  Trenton;  the  people  sat  quiet.  The  1st  of  12th 
month,  second  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Stony  Brook.  2d, 
we  went  to  Kingwood,  and  had  a  meeting  in  that  place  next 
day,  which  was  relieving  to  my  mind.  4th,  we  went  to  Hard- 
wick,  and  had  a  meeting  there  next  day.  6th,  we  rode  to  Ran- 
dolph. First  day,  the  7th,  we  attended  that  meeting.  8th, 
we  passed  on  to  Plainfield,  and  had  a  meeting  at  that  place  on 
the  9th.  10th,  we  had  a  solid  meeting  at  Rahway.  This  was 
the  winding  up  meeting  of  this  long  journey  of  fifteen  months. 
After  passing  Burlington,  it  felt  to  me  like  a  clearing  ofi"  show- 
er, after  a  long  rain.  Though  I  was  often  led  into  close  com- 
munications, as  also  encouragement  to  the  upright,  I  thought 
I  was  never  favored  to  see  the  states  of  meetings  more  clearly. 
Easy  utterance  was  given  to  open  subjects,  and  apply  them  in 
the  clear  openings  of  Truth.  The  Gospel  spring  continued 
unabated,  and  its  current  flowed  strong,  until  it  closed  with  the 
closing  meeting;  after  which  I  felt  clear  and  at  liberty  to  go 
to  my  family  and  friends,  with  a  bosom  filled  with  peace. 
Thanks  be  to  the  Most  High  God  !  Glory,  honor,  and  ever- 
lasting praises,  be  given  to  His  eternal  Holy  name ! 

We  crossed  the  water  at  Paulus  Hook,  and  went  into  New 
York,  where  we  staid  one  night,  and  went  forward  for  home, 


236  JOURNAL   OF 

without  making  mucli  stop,  until  we  got  to  the  Creek  Meeting,  in 
Nine  Partners,  my  native  land  and  meeting.  We  sat  with 
them  on  first  day,  and  passed  on  until  we  arrived  at  Easton, 
where  we  stopped  and  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting ;  then 
journeyed  steadily  until  we  reached  home,  where  we  once  more 
had  a  joyful  meeting,  finding  our  families  and  Mends  well. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Some  time  having  passed,  during  which  I  kept  much  at 
home,  except  attending  neighboring  meetings,  and  a  few  short 
visits  not  far  distant,  of  which  I  kept  no  account,  in  which  time 
I  had  to  pass  through  many  deep  and  soiTowful  trials,  which  I 
sometimes  thought  would  take  my  life ;  there  having  risen  up 
a  company  in  the  Quarterly  Meeting  to  which  I  belonged,  some 
of  whom  were  active  members  in  each  Monthly  Meeting,  who 
seemed  determined  to  lay  waste  all  order  in  the  Society,  mak- 
ing great  pretention  of  the  Spirit  and  revelation ;  pleading  that 
they  must  go  by  the  Spirit,  and  not  by  the  letter ;  that  the 
discipline  did  abundance  more  hurt  than  good.  They  disor- 
dered and  troubled  our  meetings  for  several  years,  until  the 
Lord  was  pleased,  in  tender  mercy  to  His  people,  to  shake  and 
expose  their  foundation  and  principles,  and  put  them  much  to. 
silence.  When  their  principles  were  discovered,  they  were 
found  to  be  Deistical,  and  their  aim  seemed  to  be,  to  lay  waste 
the  Society,  root  and  branch ;  and  in  order  to  do  this,  their 
endeavors  were  to  run  down  every  faithful  member,  by  slander 
and  censure,  and  by  this  means,  to  stir  up  discord  among  breth- 
ren ;  thus  bringing  much  trouble  and  grief  to  Friends,  and  re- 
proach on  the  Truth. 

After  this  storm  had  a  little  passed  over,  I  felt  my  mind 
drawn  in  Gospel  love,  to  visit  Friends  and  others,  in  the  south- 
ern and  western  parts  of  my  own  Yearly  Meeting.  I  laid  my 
concern  before  Friends,  and  obtained  their  unity  fully  expressed. 
I  proceeded  to  Queensbury,  where  I  perceived  Friends  were 
almost  alarmed,  as  they  bad  heard  slanderous  reports  about  me, 
having  no  idea  of  seeing  me  there  again  in  that  way,  as  some 


238  JOURNAL    OF 

of  these  reports — though  utterly  false — were  carried  by  Minis- 
ters who  had  been  in  our  country,  professedly  in  Truth's  serv- 
ice ;  which  gave  the  reports  credit  abroad.  I  remark  this,  with 
a  hope  it  may  prove  a  caution  to  others,  how  they  carry  reports 
which  they  do  not  know  to  be  true.  It  made  hard  work  for 
me  for  some  time  ;  but  good  was  the  Lord,  His  strong  arm  un- 
derneath, supported,  and  His  Spirit  sustained  me,  and  in  many 
instances.  He  caused  the  walls  of  prejudice  to  fall  before  me, 
as  dust  is  blown  before  the  wind.     Blessed  be  His  name. 

After  having  a  solid,  satisfactory  meeting  at  Queensbury,  I 
passed  on  to  Greenfield,  Providence  and  Galway,  visiting  all 
the  meetings  in  that  part  of  the  country,  in  which  I  had  much 
labor,  greatly  to  my  satisfaction,  and  the  full  acceptance  of  my 
Friends.  Thence  we  went  through  Saratoga,  visiting  all  the 
meetings  thereaway,  being  enabled  to  clear  my  mind  nearly  to 
universal  satisfaction,  and  passed  on  to  Duanesburgh  Quarter, 
there  attending  two  meetings.  The  third  meeting  T  attended, 
was  at  a  place  where  Friends  had  disowned  a  number,  but 
keeping  entirely  still,  (which  was  right  in  them),  these  circum- 
stances were  unknown  to  me.  I  afterwards  learned  it  was  on 
account  of  denying  the  Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  holding 
the  doctrine  of  annihilation  of  the  wicked.  Soon  after  taking 
my  seat,  from  impressions  felt,  I  soon  became  satisfied  there 
was  a  strong  and  very  wiqf|ed  spirit  in  that  meeting,  and  sitting 
under  the  weight  of  it,  I  felt  a  clear  and  forcible  motion  to  rise 
on  my  feet,  and  attending  to  it,  I  was  led  to  take  hold  of  the 
subject,  showing  that  Truth  led  into  knowledge,  whilst  the 
spirit  of  the  old  serpent,  led  into  imaginations.  The  Truth 
leads  to  gather  in  love,  and  to  encourage  and  build  up  in  the 
holy  faith ;  whilst  the  spirit  of  the  devil  urged  people  with  high 
pretentions,  and  much  apparent  zeal,  to  lay  waste  and  destroy 
the  heritage  of  God,  if  they  were  suffered  to  do  it.  Thus,  I  was 
led  to  show  how  it  would  work,  and  in  such  a  manner  that  it 
excited  them — a  number  of  them  being  present — so  that  after 
meeting,  those  of  other  societies  exclaimed,  "  now  we  know 
who  is  right,  for  here  has  come  an  old  Quaker,  from  another 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  239 

part  of  the  country,  who  knew  nothing  about  them,  and  he  has 
laid  waste  their  doctrines  and  proved  them  false,  and  the  doctrines 
of  the  Gospel  to  be  true,  and  its  foundation  to  be  as  sure  and 
durable  as  God ;  the  Quakers  have  done  right  in  disowning 
them."  This  seemed  to  aggravate  their  feelings,  for  they  had 
made  much  noise  among  the  people,  asserting  that  Friends  had 
disowned  them  for  their  religion ;  calling  it  persecution.  But 
the  righteous  Lord  Almighty,  was  pleased  for  His  Holy  name's 
sake,  and  in  tender  mercy  to  His  suffering  people,  to  turn  the 
battle  to  the  gate,  in  favor  of  the  everlasting  Gospel  of  our 
Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ ;  forever  and  ever  adored,  be  His 
Holy  name ! 

After  meeting,  I  rode  five  miles  before  I  stopped  to  dine ; 
but  a  number  of  those  Eanters  followed  me,  and  brought  their 
champion  with  them.  I  was  favored  to  keep  much  in  the  quiet, 
and  let  them  run  on  awhile ;  then,  as  it  opened  clear  and  lively 
in  my  mind,  I  called  their  attention  to  a  few  binding  points, 
which  I  requested  them  to  remove  out  of  the  way,  by  proof  and 
sound  reason,  or  their  doctrines  must  fall,  as  I  should  not  admit 
bold  assertions  only,  to  destroy  proof.  This  brought  them  to 
a  stand,  and  soon  to  silence,  and  I  embraced  the  opportunity 
to  tell  them  what  I  thought  of  their  principles,  and  what  they 
were  doing  for  themselves,  and  trying  to  do  to  the  Society  they 
had  left ;  and  I  felt  to  admonish  them,  which  I  did  faithfully, 
and  found  peace  in  so  doing.  They  seemed  quite  willing  to 
get  off  as  easy  as  they  could,  and  glad  was  I,  feeling  there  was 
renewed  cause  to  give  thanks  to  my  good  Master  for  helping 
me  through  so  easily. 

I  passed  on,  taking  meetings  until  I  came  to  Staunton  Hill. 
While  thereabout,  I  had  a  meeting  where  a  meeting  had  once 
been  held,  but  was  now  laid  down,  there  being  so  many  Ran- 
ters among  them,  who  created  great  disorder — which  Friends 
kept  from  me.  As  my  concern  was  general,  a  meeting  was 
appointed  there  ;  a  number  of  that  class  came  to  it,  I  think,  as 
many  as  half  the  meeting.  I  had  not  sat  long,  before  I  was 
made  sensible,  that  I  was  amongst  a  dark  people,  who  were 


240  JOURNAL     OF 

carried  away  with  wild  and  strange  imaginations,  as  much  so, 
as  ever  I  had  fallen  in  with.  I  had  to  address  them  in  these 
words  :  "  The  consequence  of  imbibing  pernicious  principles 
is  very  dangerous,"  and  was  led  to-  show  what  conduct  and  dis- 
order it  would  bring  forth.  The  word  of  Truth  went  forth  with 
that  authority,  that  before  I  sat  down,  they  settled  down  and 
hung  their  heads,  and  some  of  them  wept.  Truth  rose  into 
dominion,  and  reigned  that  day.  They  let  me  pass  quietly  off, 
and  Friends  who  went  with  me  expressed  their  joy  that  they 
kept  still,  informing  me  that  I  could  not  have  described  their 
conduct  and  conversation,  and  the  censure  they  cast  upon 
Friends,  more  correctly,  if  I  had  lived  among  them.  This  made 
my  way  in  that  part  of  the  country,  so  that  I  went  through  the 
rest  of  the  meetings  of  that  Quarter,  and  found  pretty  open 
doors  with  Friends,  having  much  arduous  labor  amongst  them ; 
but  the  Lord  being  my  Leader  and  helper  in  every  needfiil  time, 
way  was  made  for  me  many  times,  where  there  appeared  to  be 
no  way.     Blessed  be  His  Holy  name  ! 

From  this,  I  went  into  Cornwall  Quarterly  Meeting,  attending 
Rosendale  first,  where  I  had  painful  labor ;  things  being  much 
out  of  order ;  and  next  at  Little  Esopus  Monthly  Meeting,  where 
I  think  I  was  never  more  sensible  of  disease  extending  from  the 
crown  of  the  head  to  the  sole  of  the  foot ;  they  being  full  of 
wounds  and  bruises,  and  putrifying  sores.  With  the  help  of 
my  good  Master,  I  cleared  my  mind  amongst  them,  in  a  plain, 
coarse  way,  and  passed  on.  I  had  not  attended  more  than  one 
or  two  meetings,  before  I  had  to  go  back  to  Rosendale,  and 
have  a  second  meeting,  which  was  no  less  painful  than  the 
former.  I  turned,  and  took  another  course,  but  had  only  a  few 
meetmgs,  before  I  had  to  go  to  Rosendale  again,  and  had  the 
third  meeting  with  them,  and  endeavored  to  clear  my  mind 
faithfully  amongst  them ;  but  after  getting  away,  I  told  Friends, 
it  seemed  to  me,  there  was  something  very  deathly  and  wound- 
ing in  that  meeting ;  and  notwithstanding  all  that  had  been 
done,  I  thought  the  cause  was  not  removed,  but  I  felt  that  I 
Ijad  cleared  my  mind  as  to  any  further  public  labor  with  them. 


JOSEPH  HOAG.  241 

They  then  told  me  that  there  was  a  difficulty  in  that  meeting, 
of  five  years  standing,  that  had  set  the  members  of  the  meeting 
and  families  at  variance ;  that  the  Monthly  Meeting  had  made 
several  trials  to  settle  it,  but  had  not  succeeded,  and  that  mem- 
bers of  Society  had  got  into  the  law.  This  account  blocked 
my  way  from  going  forward.  After  musing  upon  it  several 
hours,  it  came  into  my  mind  to  take  two  Friends — whose  names 
were  presented  to  my  view — and  go  bapk  to  Rosendale  as  pri- 
vately as  we  could,  and  if  we  took  hold  of  the  business  right, 
we  should  settle  the  difficulty.  I  slept  quiet,  after  taking  this 
view  of  the  subject. 

The  morning  following,  I  called  on  the  two  Friends,  and 
opened  my  prospect  to  them.  They  said  they  would  go,  but 
seemed  very  doubtful  of  success.  I  told  them  I  was  willing  to 
lay  by  that  day,  to  give  them  time  to  consider  of  it,  and  ac-* 
cordingly  did.  The  day  following  we  went,  and  when  we  told 
our  business,  it  alarmed  the  parties.  I  had  told  the  two  Friends 
that  they  must  go  forward  and  take  the  laboring  oar,  but  they 
might  make  use  of  my  name  when  they  could  to  good  advan- 
tage. They  proceeded  accordingly,  and  it  was  thought  it  did 
much  better  for  me  to  set  and  hear,  and  once  in  a  while  make 
a  serious  remark,  than  to  have  gone  into  it  otherwise.  I  think 
it  took  us  two  days  and  a  half  to  bring  the  business  to  a  final 
settlement.  But  when  we  came  to  go  into  the  business,  it 
appeared  that  one  of  the  contending  Friends  had  committed 
the  crime,  in  a  poor  part  of  the  country,  of  getting  richer  than 
any  of  his  brethren,  and  not  by  speculation,  but  by  good  econ- 
omy and  prudent  industry.  And  now  it  was  to  keep  him  down 
and  not  let  him  get  proud.  It  seemed  this  Friend  and  his 
wife  were  desirous  to  have  the  business  settled,  and  were 
brought  to  an  agreement,  at  a  considerable  loss  of  property. 
The  business  was  agreed  to  by  all  parties  ;  but  in  a  few  hours 
the  other  side  flew  oft',  and  did  so  three  times,  and  seemed  not 
to  regard  their,  promise  until  the  suit  was  like  to  turn  to  their 
discredit  and  disadvantage.  They  then  complied,  and  signed 
j      in  article  of  settlement.    We  could  have  given  no  countenance 


242  JOURNAL   OF 

to  the  loss  the  Friend  sustained,  had  he  not  given  way  to  im- 
proper resentment,  and  made  some  wrong  moves  in  his  own 
defense,  and  had  given  advantage,  which  the  others  were  dis- 
posed to  hold  on  to.  So  that  we  thought  it  best  to  advise  him 
to  comply. 

After  getting  through  this  siege,  I  passed  through  the  re- 
mainder of  this  Quarter  pretty  smoothly,  and  crossed  the  Hud- 
son river  into  Nine  Partners  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  had  meet- 
ings at  Poughkeepsie,  Pleasant  Valley,  and  Oswego ;  at  the 
latter  place,  I  attended  a  Monthly  Meeting.  Hereabout  was 
another  set  of  Ranters,  whom  Friends  had  disowned ;  but  I 
had  not  fallen  in  with  them  before,  in  this  part  of  the  country, 
that  I  knew  of.  To  this  meeting,  two  of  their  champion  preach- 
ers came.  Here,  I  felt  my  mind  arrested  with  a  question  that 
,was  so  singular,  I  did  not  know  for  a  long  time,  what  to  think 
or  make  of  it ;  at  length,  I  became  persuaded  it  was  best  to  let 
the  meeting  have  it,  and  arose  on  my  feet,  I  think,  with  these 
words :  "  I  have  been  thinking,  whether  there  is  any  person 
in  this  meeting,  who  has  ever  read  in  any  history  that  may  be 
relied  on,  or  found  in  the  Scriptures,  that  God  ever  created 
such  a  creature,  as  all  mouth  and  no  ears."  Here,  I  made  a 
pause,  and  then  proceeded :  "  if  God  nevei;  made  such  a  crea- 
ture, and  if  there  were  such  creatures  in  mutability,  then  it 
must  be  that  the  devil  had  a  hand  in  making  them  such  crea- 
tures." I  then  proceeded  as  I  felt  ability  and  utterance  given, 
and  was  led  to  show  that  such  a  creature  was  out  of  all  proper 
shape,  and  could  not  be  in  the  order  of  the  Great  Creator,  and 
must  be  a  monster,  and  therefore  could  only  work  in  its  own 
element,  to  destroy  harmony,  lay  waste  order,  which  was  God's 
creation,  and  spread  confusion  amongst  the  inhabitants  of  the 
earth ;  and  it  would  be  wise  for  the  children  of  men  to  be  on 
guard  and  beware  of  them.  I  was  led  largely,  plainly,  and 
fully  into  the  subject,  and  enabled  to  clear  my  mind,  so  as  to 
feel  well  satisfied. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  my  testimony,  the  meeting  proceeded 
quietly  to  business,  but  these  men  were  so  disturbed,  that  the 


JOSEPH   HO AG.  243 

champion  of  the  two,  staid  near  by  until  the  meeting  was  over. 
I  went  direct  to  a  Friend's  house  to  take  dinner ;  he  came  there, 
and  walked  to  and  fro  by  the  door,  sending  in  word  several 
times,  that  he  wanted  to  talk  with  me.  So,  as  soon  as  I  had 
done  eating,  I  went  to  him.  We  talked,  I  think,  for  an  hour ; 
he  poured  out  heavy  censures  on  me  and  Friends,  for  awhile,  I 
thought  best  to  keep  much  in  the  quiet,  until  he  had  emptied  his 
store.  I  then  asked,  what  his  principles  were,  that  he  and 
Friends  could  not  agree  ?  He  then  stated,  that  he  believed 
mankind  came  into  the  world  as  all  other  animals  did,  without 
any  other  souls  than  the  beasts  had ;  their  souls  went  down  to 
the  earth  when  they  died,  and  so  it  was  with  mankind,  until 
they  were  quickened  by  Grace,  and  Grace,  if  they  were  faithful 
to  it,  immortalized  the  soul.  I  asked  him,  what  became  of 
children  before  Grace  came  on  them  ?  He  answered,  "  they 
died  as  beasts  did ;  their  souls  went  down  into  the  earth,  and 
ceased  to  be."  I  asked,  what  became  of  the  man  who  embraced 
Grace,  and  ran  well  for  a  season,  and  then  made  shipwreck  of 
faith  and  a  good  conscience,  and  died  in  that  state  ?  He  an- 
swered, "  the  Grace  returned  to  its  own  fountain,  and  the  man 
dropped  into  the  condition  of  the  beast,  and  when  he  died,  was 
like  the  beast ;  he  ceased  to  be."  I  asked  him,  if  he  preached  such 
doctrine  in  our  meetings  ?  He  said,  "Yes."  I  replied,  "I  think 
Friends  have  done  well  to  disown  thee,  for  these  are  not  our  prin- 
ciples, and  never  were,  and  thou  knowest  it ;  and  what  dost  thou 
want  to  be  a  member  for  ?  "  He  said,  "  to  spread  the  Truth 
among  the  rising  generation,  for  the  old  ones  would  not  be  mov- 
ed, and  his  being  disowned,  deprived  him  of  the  privilege 
of  doing  his  duty ;"  and  then  exclaimed,  "  that  old,  superstitious 
book,  the  discipline,  will  tear  you  all  to  pieces  yet."  I  an- 
swered, "  Thou  art  mistaken,  for  it  has  proved  a  wall  around 
our  Society,  for  almost  two  centuries,  which  always  has  enabled 
them,  when  giddy  headed  men  rose  up  and  propagated  false 
principles — and  would  not  desist — to  put  them  out  of  Society, 
and  prevent  their  spreading  discord  among  the  brethren,  and 
drawing  the  youth  into  wild  notions ;  and  thou  wilt  find  it  will 


244  JOURNAL   OF 

answer  the  same  purpose  now,  if  kept  to."  This  stopped  him 
on  that  point.  I  embraced  the  opportunity  to  ask  him,  how 
he  came  by  these  principles  ?  He  said,  "  by  revelation."  I 
thought  it  now  time  to  bring  him  to  the  binding  points,  which 
had  stopped  the  mouths  of  all  his  brethren  I  had  fallen  in  with ; 
so  I  asked,  "  what  proof  they  gave  of  their  revelation  ? "  He 
said,  "  the  same  as  the  prophets  did — *  thus  saith  the  Lord' — 
and  those  who  did  not  receive  them,  were  punished,  and  so 
they  would  be  now."  I  then  remarked,  "  your  revelation  con- 
tradicts abundance  of  the  Scripture ;  and  seeing  that  God  chose 
His  own  way,  when  He  introduced  the  bible  into  the  world  by 
the  hand  of  Moses ;  He  sent  him  with  a  message,  *  Thus  saith 
the  Lord  God ; '  and  then  endued  him  with  power  to  work 
marvellous  signs  and  wonders,  such  as  had  never  been  seen  or 
heard  of,  and  in  the  presence  of  unbelievers  as  well  as  believers, 
in  proof  of  his  revelation.  And  it  did  not  end  here  ;  it  con- 
tinued with  Joshua,  and  several  of  the  prophets  at  different 
ages ;  and  this  is  not  all ;  when  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the 
world  to  introduce  the  Gospel  to  the  people.  He  did  not  ask 
the  people  to  receive  Him  as  Christ,  until  He  had  worked  many 
miracles,  such  as  had  never  been  seen  or  heard  of  before,  and 
far  to  exceed  Moses ;  for  Moses'  miracles  were  punishments, 
and  the  display  of  the  power  of  God  on  the  wicked.  But  Jesus 
Christ's  miracles  were  benevolence,  and  mercy  to  suffering  hu- 
manity— the  full  revelation  of  His  love  and  tender  mercies  to 
all  people.  Yet,  He  did  not  call  on  them  to  believe  Him,  but 
for  the  work's  sake ;  for,  said  He,  *  No  man  hath  done  the 
works  ye  see  me  do.'  And  now,  friend,  thou  hast  told  me,  that 
your  revelation  has  carried  you  beyond  all  the  old  prophets, 
beyond  the  apostles  and  all  our  ancient  Friends,  into  the  vision 
of  light ;  beyond  what  any  of  these  ever  saw,  and  that  it  has 
carried  you  beyond  the  Scriptures;  and  in  that,  your  revelation 
contradicts  the  revelation  of  the  Scriptures.  For  the  power  of 
working  miracles  did  not  end  with  the  outwai'd  Ministry  of 
Jesus  Christ,  but  rested  on  His  apostles.  His  successors,  long 
after  His  ascension.     Now,  friend,  we  look  back  as  well  as  for- 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  245 

ward,  and  when  we  reflect  seriously,  on  the  mighty,  and  long 
continued  evidence  of  both  the  former  dispensations,  we  think 
that  He  is  the  same  God  He  ever  was,  and  changes  not ;  and 
that  His  love  and  long  forbearance,  is  as  much  toward  the  peo- 
ple, as  it  ever  was ;  and  we  think,  that  if  God  was  about  to  re- 
veal a  new  dispensation,  which  would  be  more  glorious  than 
either  of  the  others,  that  you  would  give  an  evidence  answera- 
ble to  the  magnitude  of  the  revelation  ;  seeing  He  has  always 
taken  that  way.  So,  that  there  are  too  many  sound  heads  in 
our  Society,  to  be  drawn  oflf  of  this  ancient  foundation,  and  well 
proved  doctrine  of  the  Gospel  and  Divine  revelation,  by  noth- 
ing better  than  the  bold,  empty  assertion  of  a  few  confident 
men  ;  and  that,  in  contradiction  to  all  well  proved  revelation.'* 
To  all  this,  he  made  no  answer ;  but  mused  awhile,  and  then 
exclaimed,  "  I  always  heard,  that  thee  was  a  tender  spirited, 
charitable  man,  but  I  am  disappointed,  for  I  now  see  that  thou 
art  as  much  laced  up  in  that  old  buckram  superstition,  as  any 
of  them."     And  so  we  parted. 

Previous  to  this,  I  had  a  number  of  meetings  laid  out,  and 
notice  of  the  appointments  timely  given ;  so  that  when  I 
came  to  Crum  Elbow,  Little  Nine  Partners,  and  the  Creek,  I 
had  full  and  satisfactory  meetings ;  but  when  I  came  to  Stan- 
ford, though  Friends  had  received  the  notice,  they  had  made 
no  appointment  for  the  meeting,  so  I  passed  on  to  the  Plains, 
thence  to  Nine  Partners ;  then  turned  about,  and  attended  the 
Creek  Monthly  Meeting.  Here,  I  observed  that  two  Friends 
mostly  dictated  the  business,  and  when  any  one  opposed  them, 
they  bore  heavily  upon  such ;  and  if  they  said  nothing,  they 
urged  them  to  unite :  the  effect  was,  that  they  had  nearly  all 
the  speaking  to  do,  and  the  business  went  heavily.  After  the 
business  was  through,  I  told  them  what  efiect  such  conduct  had 
on  the  meeting,  and  felt  good  satisfaction  in  telling  them  my 
mind.  There  was  a  complaint  brought  against  a  member  for 
drunkenness,  and  was  under  the  care  of  a  committee,  and  no 
favorable  report ;  but  these  two  Friends  strove  hard  to  throw 


246  JOURNAL    OF 

it  out,  and  have  no  further  notice  taken  of  it ;   yet,  they  did 
not  effect  their  purpose  that  day. 

The  next  day,  I  attended  Stanford  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Lit- 
tle Nine  Partners,  where  I  had  satisfactory  service  to  myself  and 
Friends.  After  meeting,  I  set  forward  for  home,  and  thought 
I  saw  my  way  clear,  expecting  to  be  at  Hudson  meeting  the 
next  day.  I  had  a  borrowed  horse ;  for  when  I  was  in  the 
Otego  country,  my  beast  was  taken  sick,  so  that  she  could  not 
travel,  and  a  kind  Friend,  Aaron  Wing,  lent  me  a  noble  young 
horse,  a  fine  traveller,  to  go  the  rest  of  the  journey.  All  the 
time  I  had  him,  he  never  lost  his  course  for  home,  and  when- 
ever he  saw  a  road  that  turned  that  way,  he  would  pull  hard 
for  it.  But  on  this  afternoon,  when  I  started,  and  thought  to 
make  good  headway,  as  the  horse  would  travel  freely  towards 
home,  after  a  few  miles  drive,  I  came  to  a  road  that  turned  from 
his  home,  and  the  horse,  for  the  first  time,  pressed  hard  to  take 
it ;  but  I  urged  him  by,  and  though  a  lively  horse,  he  after- 
wards traveled  slowly  and  dull,  so  that  I  had  to  urge  him  on. 
A  heavy  feeling  came  over  me  ;  I  could  not  see  for  what,  but 
it  increased  as  I  went  forward,  and  I  concluded,  if  I  came  to 
another  road,  and  the  horse  made  a  choice,  he  should  go  where 
he  would.  I  soon  came  to  a  road  that  turned  the  same  way 
the  other  did ;  the  horse  crowded  for  it,  so  I  let  him  go  ;  he 
then  pressed  ahead,  and  traveled  fast.  My  mind  became  easy, 
and  I  went  on  until  I  came  in  sight  of  the  stage  road,  conclud- 
ing to  let  the  horse  go  where  he  pleased ;  when  we  came  to 
it,  the  horse  turned  again  from  home,  and  went  ahead  fast,  un- 
til near  night,  before  he  slackened  his  speed.  I  then  enquired 
if  any  Friends  lived  on  that  road,  and  was  answered,  that  some 
distance  beyond,  a  half  Quaker  lived,  and  his  wife  was  a  whole 
one.  I  passed  on,  and  enquired  again ;  was  answered  as  be- 
fore. A  man  standing  by,  said  he  was  his  neighbor,  and  if  I 
would  let  him  ride,  he  would  show  me  his  house.  When  I  got 
there,  I  found  him  so  drunk  that  he  could  but  just  totter  about, 
and  not  able  to  talk  plain.  When  morning  came,  I  cleared 
my  mind,  and  left  him,  and  went  on  to  Crum  Elbow ;  being 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  247 

first  day,  we  bad  a  large,  solemn,  favored  meeting,  so  that  I 
was  satisfied  I  was  in  my  right  place,  though  a  horse  was  my 
pilot. 

After  meeting,  I  informed  Friends,  with  whom  I  lodged,  and 
how  I  found  him.  They  then  told  me,  he  was  the  man  the 
complaint  stood  against,  that  the  two  Friends  strove  to  throw 
out,  as  being  taken  up  on  a  trifling  affair ;  and  that  be  had 
been  in  the  practice  of  drinking  strong  liquors,  to  intoxication, 
for  years,  and  it  was  much  known  round  the  country,  among 
every  sort  of  people.  I  said  in  my  heart,  "  alas  !  if  these  are 
the  principles  of  those  who  sit  at  the  head  of  government,  an 
Elder  and  a  Minister,  who  will  rise  up  and  endeavor  to  sup- 
press discipline,  and  prevent  the  testimony  of  Truth  from  going 
forth  against  such  filthy  evils,  it  is  no  marvel  that  it  is  felt,  that 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lamb  of  God  groaneth  under  crucifying  suf- 
ferings ;  and  that  the  spirits  of  the  upright  mourn  in  sackcloth 
and  ashes,  to  see  the  wall  about  the  Church  broken  down,  by 
those  who  ought  to  stand  as  faithful  watchmen,  to  keep  it  in 
good  repair  and  good  order.  Where  there  is  such  unsound- 
ness in  the  head,  the  faintness  is  such,  that  when  they  attempt 
to  do  the  business  of  the  Church,  it  drags  like  Pharoah's  char- 
iot wheels." 

From  Crum  Elbow,  I  felt  drawings  in  my  mind  to  attend  my 
own  Yearly  Meeting.  After  considering  it,  I  became  satisfied 
it  was  best.  I  took  Amawalk,  and  Shappaqua  on  my  way ;  I 
was  led  into  close,  painful  labor,  there  being  much  of  a  worldly 
spirit,  self-security,  and  worldly  wisdom  in  these  meetings,  so 
that  it  was  painful ;  being  made  sensible  that  the  true  spirit  of 
the  Gospel  was  much  oppressed  in  the  minds  of  many,  but  not 
in  all,  I  think.  I  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting,  which  was 
deeply  exercising,  in  the  several  sittings  thereof;  yet  the  busi- 
ness was  conducted  in  a  good  degree  of  condescension,  and 
ended  quietly.  After  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  I  felt 
my  mind  arrested  to  be  at  Shappaqua  meeting,  on  first  day. 
When  I  got  there,  my  Master  showed  me  a  monster,  and  his 
name  was  Great  I,  and  my  Master  constrained  me  to  describe 


fi48  JOURNAL    OF 

him  to  the  people,  that  they  might  know  he  was  a  monster, 
and  not  a  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ.  It  was  a  solemn  day  to 
me.  At  four  in  the  afternoon,  I  had  a  meeting  at  Croton  where 
my  testimony  did  not  suit  all.  I  was  led  to  preach  up  the 
doctrines  and  acknowledge  the  Divinity  of  Jesus  Christ ;  and 
after  meeting,  was  treated  with  great  coolness.  From  here,  I 
went  pretty  directly  on  to  return  my  borrowed  horse ;  and 
when  I  got  there,  my  little  mare  was  dead,  and  I  had  to  borrow 
the  horse  the  second  time,  to  get  home,  where  I  arrived  in  the 
6th  month,  after  an  absence  of  five  months  or  more,  in  which 
time  I  had  many  sore  conflicts  to  pass  through.  But  such  was 
the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  that  He  supported  me,  feeling  His 
strong  arm  underneath,  to  bear  up  in  every  trial,  and  His  power 
to  give  strength  in  every  battle,  with  wisdom  and  utterance  in 
in  every  needful  time.  Thus  the  Lord  marvelously  led  me 
along,  in  such  a  way  that  I  had  the  opportunity  of  clearing  ray 
mind  to  good  satisfaction,  and  to  silence  those  wicked,  false 
reports,  which  were  sent  over  the  country ;  so  much  so,  I  was 
credibly  told,  that  one  of  the  Friends  who  gave  the  reports 
credit,  wrote  to  his  correspondents  and  connections,  informing 
them  that  I  had  been  in  his  country,  and  had  visited  nearly  all 
the  meetings  in  those  parts,  and  that  my  conduct  and  labors 
in  the  ministry  had  been  to  good  satisfaction  wherever  I  had 
been,  and  that  he  had  heard  me ;  that  he  never  had  better  unity 
with  me  in  any  part  of  my  Hfe.  This  got  to  them  before  I  got 
home,  and  stopped  their  clamor ;  so  that  through  the  mercy  of 
the  Most  High  God,  in  his  interposition,  all  was  still  without, 
when  I  got  home,  and  my  mind  richly  filled  with  peace.  Bless- 
ed, worshipped  and  adored,  be  the  Lord,  my  Redeemer,  for- 
evermore  I 


CHAPTER  IX. 
In  the  year  1823, 1  felt  my  mind  arrested  from  day  to  day, 
with  drawings  in  Gospel  love,  to  pay  a  religious  visit  to  Friends 
and  others,  in  the  northern  and  western  parts  of  my  own  Yearly 
Meeting,  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  some  parts  of  North  Carolina 
Yearly  Meetings.  After  weighing  the  concern  in  my  mind 
several  months,  I  told  my  Master,  that  my  situation  and  cir- 
cumstances were  such,  being  much  in  debt,  and  there  had 
been  so  much  division  of  sentiment  in  the  Monthly  and  Quar- 
terly Meetings,  and  I,  in  obedience  to  Him,  had  taken  an  ac- 
tive part  in  them,  to  maintain  discipline,  that  Truth,  and  Soci- 
ety should  not  be  scandalously  reproached ;  and  in  so  doing,  I 
had  offended  so  many,  that  they  would  not  let  me  go.  My 
Master  returned  me  the  answer,  "  Do  what  I  bid  thee,  and  if  I 
do  not  make  way  for  thee,  thou  shalt  be  clear."  So  I  laid  my 
concern  before  the  Monthly  Meeting ;  it  had  a  month  to  con- 
sider of  it ;  it  was  then  united  with,  without  a  dissenting  voice. 
I  took  my  certificate  to  the  Quarter,  and  laid  it,  with  my  con- 
cern, before  that  meeting ;  it  took  time  solidly  to  consider  it, 
and  uniting  fully  with  my  concern,  set  me  at  liberty.  I  made 
preparations,  and  took  leave  of  my  family  and  friends  the  6th 
of  12th  month,  1823,  Samuel  Knowles  being  my  companion. 
We  crossed  the  Lake,  and  arrived  at  Peru  on  seventh  day.  We 
staid  (having  several  meetings  thereabouts)  until  fifth  day  fol- 
lowing, when  we  set  forward  for  Black  River.  It  took  us  four 
days  to  reach  Indian  river,  the  first  settlement  of  Friends  we 
came  to — (it  is  now  called  Philadelphia),  and  had  a  meeting- 
there  on  the  15th,  with  Friends  and  others;  and  found  the 
same  old  satan,  who  met  with  the  sons  of  God  in  Job's  day — 

n 


250  JOURNAL    OF 

and  as  his  manner  was  in  that  day,  to  set  them  to  accuse  and 
hurt  one  another,  so  it  is  with  him  now  ;  lie  had  got  into  this 
little  meeting,  and  had  sown  so  much  of  the  seed  of  jealousy, 
that  it  had  broken  out  into  a  flame,  and  almost  destroyed  the 
meeting.  The  flame  had  a  little  abated,  but  its  anguish  still 
remained.  We  had  much  painful  labor  with  them,  but  were 
mercifully  enabled  to  clear  our  minds,  so  as  to  feel  relieved. 

On  the  16th,  we  had  a  full  meeting  at  Le  Eay ;  this  was  also 
deeply  exercising,  there  being  much  want  of  true  Gospel  love 
amongst  them.  Holy  help  was  mercifully  felt,  to  enable  me  to 
clear  my  mind,  so  as  to  feel  well  relieved.  From  here  we  went 
to  Brownsville  and  Lowville,  and  had  a  satisfactory  meeting  at 
each  place.  23d,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Western.  I  was  at  that 
place  some  years  before,  and  it  appeared  a  hopeful,  growing 
meeting  in  the  Truth ;  but  the  old  serpent  had  got  among 
them,  and  on  the  seat  of  judgment,  having  nearly  destroyed 
all  the  precious  life  of  the  Lamb  of  God  amongst  them — a  dried 
up,  barren  meeting.  24th,  we  were  at  Lee  meeting ;  here  was 
felt  a  lively  concern  among  them,  though  all  was  not  well ;  but 
much  more  comfortable  than  the  other  meeting.  25th,  we  re- 
turned to  our  kind  Friend,  Thomas  Townsend's,  in  Lowville, 
and  proceeded  to  Germantown,  where  we  had  a  satisfactory 
meeting.  Then,  to  Pleasant  Creek  Meeting,  and  returned  to 
Brownville,  aud  had  a  good,  solid  meeting  there  ;  mostly  with 
those  not  members  of  our  Society,  and  returned  to  Pleasant 
Creek.  From  here,  we  proceeded  to  Morristown,  on  the  riv- 
er St.  Lawrence,  forty-five  miles,  and  got  there  just  at  dark. 
The  next  morning  we  crossed  the  River,  and  went  to  Jedadiah 
Wing's,  in  the  town  of  Yonge,  Lower  Canada.  Here,  we  at- 
tended their  Preparative  Meeting,  which,  from^  a  small  begin- 
ning, had  become  much  increased,  and  a  pretty  lively  meeting. 
Here  Friends  had  kept  together  in  the  quiet,  and  their  neigh- 
bors loved  them.  From  this,  we  drove  to  Elizabethtown,  and 
got  to  Isaac  Booth's  the  first  day  of  the  year,  1824.  The  day 
following,  we  went  to  Brockville,  and  had  a  meeting  in  the 
town,  among  a  hardy  set  of  the  human  family;  returning  to 


JOSEPH   HO AG.  251 

Elizabcthtown  the  same  day,  and  appointed  a  meeting  there,  to 
be  held  the  next  day,  in  the  afternoon.  Next  morning,  being 
first  day,  the  4th  of  1st  month,  we  drove  twelve  miles,  and  at- 
tended Friend's  Meeting  at  Yonge,  and  returned  seasonably,  to 
attend  our  appointed  meeting. 

On  second  day,  we  set  out  for  Kingston;  drove  fifty-four 
miles,  and  got  there  in  the  evening,  and  put  up  with  Peter 
Knight.  Third  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Kingston ;  this  has 
become  very  small  by  Friends  moving  away.  We  had  anoth- 
er in  the  evening  in  the  village,  at  the  Methodist  meeting 
house,  which  was  pretty  large ;  the  people  sat  respectfully 
quiet,  the  meeting  was  favored,  and  the  Truth  was  felt  to  spread 
over  it,  and  it  closed  with  solemnity.  From  here,  we  drove  to 
Earnest  town,  forty-one  miles,  and  stopped  at  John  Burley's, 
and  had  a  meeting  in  this  town,  on  sixth  day  ;  and  after  meet- 
ing we  drove  twenty  miles,  to  Daniel  Haight's,  in  Adolphus 
town.  Seventh  day,  we  lay  by.  First  day,  11th,  attended 
that  meeting.  Here,  some  years  ago,  was  a  large,  lively  meet- 
ing, but  some  of  its  members  having  a  high  opinion  of 
themselves — much  more  so  than  they  were  worthy  of,  or  their 
Friends  had  of  them — they  sought  the  rule  and  government, 
and  were  much  uneasy  ;  and  in  order  to  get  power  into  their 
hands,  they  stirred  up  false  jealousy  against  their  better  breth- 
ren, and  had  much  borne  them  down,  and  laid  the  meeting  al- 
most in  a  state  of  desolation.  They  greatly  oppressed  the  bet- 
ter class,  were  still  disposed  to  lord  over  God's  heritage ;  they 
seemed  afraid  that  anything  should  rise  above  them,  however 
clear  in  the  Truth ;  so  that  the  innocent,  righteous  seed,  was 
much  oppressed  in  this  place ;  and  will  be,  until-  the  Lord  is 
pleased  to  rebuke  spiritual  pride  in  high  places,  and  lay  giant 
self  confidence  low ;  which  may  He  do  for  His  own  name's 
sake,  and  in  mercy  to  His  suiFering  remnant  and  precious  seed  ! 
Some  of  the  leaders  of  this  mischief  moved  into  other  meetings, 
where  they  could  have  more  influence.  It  was  mournful  to 
feel  and  see  what  the  old  enemy,  by  spiritual  pride  through  his 


252  JOURNAL    OF 

agents,  had  done.  I  had  much  painful  labor  with  Friends  in 
these  parts,  both  in  public  and  private. 

Second  day,  we  went  to  Grassy  Point,  and  had  a  little  poor 
meeting,  in  a  big-feeling  member's  house.  Third  day,  we  went 
to  Ilollowell,  twenty  miles,  and  attended  that  Select  Meeting, 
on  fourth  day.  It  was  seriously  painful,  and  deeply  exercising, 
for  I  perceived  that  self-importance  had  got  into  this  depart- 
ment, and  it  was  jealous  and  afraid ;  but  through  the  goodness 
of  the  Most  High,  I  was  strengthened  to  discharge  my  duty 
faithfully,  and  felt  peace.  Fifth  day,  attended  their  Monthly 
Meeting ;  after  it  we  went  to  Sidney,  where  we  had  a  meeting 
with  Friends,  and  two  amongst  other  people ;  all  of  them  to 
good  satisfaction,  being  favored  meetings.  Second  day,  19th, 
we  went  to  Coal  Creek,  and  had  a  comfortable  meeting  there 
the  20th,  and  after  it,  we  went  back  to  Sidney.  Fourth  day,  we 
returned  to  Hollowell,  and  made  our  home  with  Jonathan 
Clark,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  fifth  day.  Sixth  day,  we 
had  a  meeting  in  Hollowell  village,  a  cold,  careless  place,  and 
hard  getting  along.  First  day,  25th,  we  attended  Amelias- 
burg  meeting ;  it  was  a  solemn,  favored  time,  and  we  returned 
to  Jonathan  Clark's,  where  we  lay  by  on  the  26th,  not  being 
well. 

Third  day,  the  2'7th,  attended  the  Select  Half  Year's  Meet- 
ing. It  was  deeply  exercising ;  the  want  of  Gospel  love,  true 
charity,  and  fervent  zeal,  were  sensibly  felt  amongst  them. 
Fourth  day,  attended  the  meeting  for  business ;  in  it  I  had  an 
opportunity  to  see  their  jealous  fears,  and  also  to  clear  my 
mind  in  a  plain,  feeling  manner,  and  was  well  relieved ;  it 
stilled  them  much  for  the  day.  Fifth  day  was  the  closing  and 
parting  meeting,  and  was  a  favored,  precious  time.  From  this, 
we  went  to  the  Carrying  Place,  had  a  meeting  there  on  the 
30th,  at  evening,  w^liich  was  said  to  be  the  largest  ever  held  in 
the  place.  The  people  were  civil  and  attentive ;  the  meeting 
became  solid,  and  ended  so.  Then  went  to  Cramahe,  where 
we  had  a  meeting  in  the  Methodist  meeting  house,  on  first 
day  the  1st  of  2d  month,  and  had  another  meeting  in  the  eve- 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  253 

ning  at  Holderman ;  both  to  good  satisfaction  to  ourselves,  and 
appeared  so  to  be  with  the  people.  We  lodged  with  Freeman 
Clarke.  Second  day,  we  drove  to  Cyrus  Richmond's.  3d  of 
the  month,  we  had  a  meeting  in  Hope,  and  another  in  the  eve-" 
ning  in  the  same  town.  In  both  of  these  meetings  the  doc- 
trines of  Truth  flowed  free  and  clear.  4th,  we  proceeded  to 
Whitby.  5th,  we  attended  that  Preparative  Meeting.  And  it 
was  a  tough  meeting ;  it  seemed  as  though  I  could  but  just 
live  through  it ;  for  some  who  sat  at  the  head  appeared  rotten- 
hearted,  and  full  of  mischief.  I  had  to  deal  out  coarse  medi- 
cine to  them  which  made  my'heart  ache,  but  my  good  Master 
rewarded  me  well  for  it.  After  meeting  we  went  to  Timothy 
Roger's,  where  we  were  well  received. 

Sixth  day,  had  a  meeting  at  one  M 's,  and  another  in  the 

evening  at  John  Haight's ;  the  latter  a  very  satisfactory  meet- 
ing. Tth,  went  to  Uxbridge.  First  day,  the  8th,  we  attended 
that  meeting.  9th,  went  to  Whit  Church.  ■  10th,  had  a  meet- 
ing there.  11th,  we  went  to  Queen  Street  Meeting;  here  are 
a  number  who  have  dissented  from  Friends,  and  gone  into  wild 
Ranterism.  Several  of  them  came  to  the  meeting ;  though  I 
knew  it  not.  I  had  a  solemn  testimony  to  bear,  and  felt  the 
mighty  power  of  the  Lord  to  go  over  the  heads  of  all  opposing 
spirits  so  that  Truth  reigned.  Fifth  day,  was  at  Yonge  Street 
Monthly  Meeting  ;  in  it  I  had  good  service.  Sixth  day,  went 
to  Luke  Stoutenburg's.  14th,  went  to  Little  York  (now  To- 
ronto), had  a  meeting  in  the  town,  at  evening.  To  it  came  a 
number  of  gay  people,  who  sat  quiet  and  attentive,  and  passed 
soberly  away.  15th,  and  first  day,  we  attempted  to  return  to 
Stoutenburg's,  to  have  a  meeting  in  that  neighborhood  in  the 
evening,  but  there  came  such  a  fall  of  snow  that  we  could  not 
get  in  seasonably.  16th,  we  returned  to  Yonge  Street,  with 
our  horses  much  fatigued.  lYth,  we  attended  Queen  Street 
Meeting ;  but  not  feeling  clear  we  had  a  meeting  appointed  in 
the  evening.  In  it  way  opened  to  relieve  my  mind  pretty  ful- 
ly. 1 8th,  we  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  West  Gillensbnry, 
returned  to  Yonge  street,  at  evening,  and  attended  that  meet- 


254  JOUBNAL   OF 

ing  again  on  fifth  day.  Sixtli  day  we  attended  a  meeting 
at  Markliam  in  tlie  evening.  Seventh  day,  we  drove  to 
Pickering,  and  attended  their  meeting  on  first  day,  the  2 2d. 
Second  day,  we  drove  forty  miles,  and  on  third  day,  fifty-two 
miles,  to  a  small  settlement  of  Friends  in  Ancaster ;  we  stopped 
and  had  a  meeting  with  them  on  fourth  day. 

On  fifth  day,  the  26th,  we  drove  to  Norwich.  Here  I  had 
my  feelings  exceedingly  tried ;  for  1  had  not  been  long  in  the 
Friend's  house,  where  I  put  up,  before  he  wanted  to  have  my 
opinion  on  some  affairs  amongst  them.  I  told  him,  I  came 
there  knowing  nothing,  and  it  was  my  right  to  go  away  know- 
ing nothing,  except  they  saw  a  wrong  in  me,  and  then  they 
should  let  me  know  it.  I  desired  him  to  forbear,  and  not  tell 
me  anything.  He  pressed  me  so  hard  to  hear  him,  that  I  told 
him  at  last,  if  he  would  not  forbear,  I  would  leave  his  house, 
and  go  where  they  would  let  me  be  quiet ;  for  I  would  not 
have  my  ears  filled  with  outward  information.  After  that,  he 
let  me  alone.  When  I  came  to  meeting  I  found  myself  plunged 
into  thick  darkness  that  could  be  felt,  and  felt  a  spirit  amongst 
them  as  bitter  as  the  waters  of  Meribah.  My  Master  laid  it  on 
me  to  deliver  His  word  faithfully  and  plainly,  without  any 
shadow  of  turning ;  it  was  a  solemn,  trying  day  to  me,  but 
strength  and  fortitude  were  given,  sufiicient  for  the  day,  and 
utterance  for  the  occasion,  through  the  tender  goodness  of  Isra- 
el's holy  Helper. 

First  day,  29th,  we  attended  the  same  meeting,  where  I  was 
silent.  There  came  in  a  Minister  of  their  own  from  another 
meeting,  who  took  up  such  a  length  of  time  in  preaching,  that 
I  had  no  opportunity  to  relieve  my  mind.  I  thought  his  com- 
munication was  not  to  the  purpose,  so  that  I  had  to  pass  the 
meeting  in  deep  suSering,  being  led  into  a  clear  sense,  that  the 
destroyer  of  all  good  had  got  amongst  them  ;  he  had  got  into 
the  seat  of  judgment,  where  he  had  not  only  exalted  himself 
above  all  that  is  called  God ;  but  through  agents,  was  endeav- 
oring to  destroy  the  man  child  as  soon  at  it  was  bom — ^he  had 
cast  out  his  floods  to  swallow  up  the  woman,  the  mother — but 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  255 

the  Lord,  in  mercy,  hath,  hitherto  caused  the  earth  to  open  her 
mouth  and  swallow  up  the  floods,  so  that  the  child  and  its 
mother  are  not  quite  destroyed,  although  they  are  under  great 
sufferings.  Oh  !  may  the  righteous  Lord,  for  his  own  Name's 
sake,  and  the  promotion  of  Truth  and  righteousness  in  the  earth, 
continue  to  sustain  the  true  mother,  and  lift  up  the  head  of  the 
holy  child,  to  the  casting  down  and  dethroning  the  old  serpent 
from  lording  it  over  God's  heritage ! 

The  1st  of  3d  month,  .second  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Pine 
Street ;  there  are  but  few  Friends  here,  and  the  mejeting  small 
and  weak.  Thence  to  Yarmouth,  fifty  miles.  The  country  be- 
ing new,  and  roads  bad,  it  took  two  days.  Fifth  day,  we  had 
a  meeting  with  Friends  and  others  of  that  place  ;  notice  being 
given  the  meeting  was  large,  and  much  favored.  Here  is  a, 
hopeful  prospect  of  a  growing  meeting ;  the  members  appeared 
to  be  in  good  friendship  one  with  another,  and  to  live  peace- 
ably with  their  neighbors.  Sixth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at 
Talbot  street.  Though  small,  it  was  satisfactory.  From  this, 
we  returned  to  Norwich,  and  reached  there  seventh  day.  First 
day,  the  7th,  we  attended  that  meeting ;  in  it  holy  help  was 
richly  felt,  and  my  mind  was  so  strengthened  thereby,  that  I 
spoke  in  undisguised  plainness,  and  got  much  relief.  Second 
and  third  days  we  had  no  meetings.  On  fourth  day,  the  10th 
came  on  their  Monthly  Meeting ;  we  attended  it.  They  came 
in  from  all  the  different  meetings,  and  brought  themselves  along 
just  such  creatures  as  they  were  at  home,  and  brought  their 
rubbish  with  them.  My  mind  was  brought  into  a  deeply  bowed 
state  before  the  Lord  in  the  early  sitting  down  of  the  meeting, 
and  was  led  into  so  clear  a  view  of  the  state  of  it,  that  I  could 
have  no  doubt  or  scruple  of  the  opening.  Under  the  increas- 
ing weight  of  the  subject,  I  felt  a  necessity  to  rise  on  my  feet, 
in  the  impressive  flowings  of  the  Gospel.  I  was  led  in  much 
plainness  to  show  the  sad  effects  of  surmising  jealousy,  which, 
tormented  with  a  fear  that  others  would  be  better  thought  of 
than  themselves ;  when  nursed  with  imagination,  this  soil  pro- 
duced heart-burning  hatred,  which  fed  the  hot  coals  of  malice. 


266  JOURNAL   OF 

that  not  only  tormented  tliem  in  wliom  they  were  nursed  and 
kept  alive,  but  after,  broke  out  in  destroying  flames  of  slander, 
which  spread  discord  amongst  brethren,  and  separated  near 
Friends.  I  was  led  solemly  to  warn  them  against  these  evils, 
and  was  strengthened  to  proclain  the  day  of  the  Lord  amongst 
them,  greatly  to  the  peace  and  relief  of  my  own  mind. 

Fifth  day,  we  went  to  Long  Point.  Sixth  day,  we  went  to 
Richard  Meade's.  Seventh  day,  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  town 
of  Woodhouse,  and  another  in  the  evening,  in  Charlotte ville. 
First  day,  the  14th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Burford,  at  eleven  in 
the  morning,  another  at  three  in  the  afternoon,  at  Windon 
meeting  house,  and  the  third,  at  candle  lighting,  at  a  village 
called  Waterford.  Second  day,  returned  to  Norwich,  and  third 
day,  being  snowy,  we  lay  by.  Fourth  day,  we  attended  that 
meeting  for  the  last  time,  where  I  had  to  proclaim  a  solemn 
alarm  amongst  them,  so  that  I  felt  clear  of  the  blood  of  all 
mankind  in  that  part  of  the  country,  and  left  them  with  a 
peaceful  mind,  and  a  heart  full  of  pity. 

Fifth  and  sixth  days,  we  drove  to  Pelham,  and  put  up  with 
Samuel  Taylor.  Seventh  day,  we  had  a  meeting  there,  and 
had  a  meeting  at  Lyne's  Creek  in  the  evening.  First  day,  the 
21st,  we  attended  Black  Creek  meeting,  and  were  favored  with 
the  presence  of  the  Lord  to  our  comfort,  and  much  to  the  re- 
newal of  our  strength.  It  being  the  last  meeting,  we  took  our 
farewell  of  the  British  government.  Second  day,  we  traveled 
thirty  miles,  and  on  third  day,  we  crossed  the  river  into  the 
State  of  New  York,  arriving  at  Lockport  in  the  evening,  and  put 
up  with  my  much  esteemed  Friend,  Jared  Comstock.  Fourth 
day,  we  lay  by,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  fifth  day.  We 
then  passed  on  to  Hartland,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on  sixth 
day.  On  seventh  day,  we  returned  to  Lockport,  and  attended 
their  meeting  on  first  day,  the  28th,  where  I  had  an  opportu- 
nity to  clear  my  mind  to  satisfaction,  and  after  meeting  we  re- 
turned to  Hartland.  Second  day,  went  to  Somerset,  and  had 
a  mSeting  with  the  few  Friends  of  that  place,  and  their*neigh- 
bors,  and  returned  to  Hartland.     Fourth  day,  we  drove  to  Roy- 


\ 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  257 

alton,  and  attended  their  mid-week  meeting ;  but  not  feeling 
clear,  we  appointed  another  meeting  for  fifth  day,  the  1st  of 
4tli  month,  which  was  much  to  my  satisfaction.  "We  then 
passed  on  to  Shelby,  where  we  had  a  meeting  on  seventh  day. 
First  day,  we  attended  a  little  meeting  at  Elba.  Several  of 
these  last  meetings  were  small.  It  was  easier  getting  along 
than  in  the  large,  old  meetings,  where  wealth  and  distinction 
are  looked  at,  for  in  new  countries  they  have  much  to  struggle 
with,  and  have  to  be  helpful  to  each  other.  They  are  glad  to 
see  their  Friends,  and  generally  stand  open  to  receive  what  we 
have  for  them,  with  less  extravagance  and  more  true  humility, 
than  is  often  the  case  in  old  and  populous  places. 

Second  day,  we  drove  to  Riga,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on 
third  day.  Fourth  day,  had  a  meeting  at  Wheatland.  Fifth 
day,  at  Henrietta,  where  my  Master  gave  me  nothing  for  the 
people.  After  meeting,  we  drove  to  Rochester,  and  had  a 
meeting  there  on  sixth  day.  We  went  to  Macedon  the  same 
day,  and  attended  an  appointed  meeting  there  on  seventh  day ; 
and  another  at  four  in  the  afternoon,  in  Palmyra  village.  First 
day,  the  11th,  we  attended  Farmington  meeting,  and  second 
day  appointed  a  meeting  at  South  Farmington.  Third  day, 
had  a  meeting  at  Galen.  Fourth  day,  we  were  at  the  mid- 
week meeting  at  Junius.  After  meeting,  we  drove  fifteen  miles, 
and  reached  Milo  in  season  to  attend  that  meeting  on  fifth  day, 
but  had  nothing  to  impart  to  them.  I  sat  and  looked  on  them 
with  pity,  for  it  appeared  clear  to  me  that  a  slack,  easy,  un- 
believing spirit,  was  making  its  way  among  the  people  in  that 
part  of  the  land. 

On  sixjh  day  we  drove  twenty-eight  miles  to  Scipio,  and 
first  day,  the  18th,  we  were  at  Springport  meeting.  Second 
day  we  visited  Scipio  North  meeting.  In  this  meeting  my 
mind  was  feelingly  arrested  with  a  sorrowful  sense,  that  an  in- 
fidel spirit  was  prevailing  among  them.  I  felt  constrained  to 
bear  a  faithful  testimony  against  unbelief,  and  invalidating  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  ridiculing  the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  and  ma- 
•king  light  of  those  truths  that  God  had  already  revealed.    As  I 


258  JOURNAL    OF 

stepped  along  in  tlie  exercise  of  my  testimony,  I  felt  the 
power  of  Truth  to  go  forth  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  such 
authority,  that  their  walls  gave  way,  and  their  weapons  fell. 
Truth  arose  in  dominion,  and  reigned  that  day  to  the  joy  of 
many  minds,  which  had  been  much  borne  down  with  this  un- 
believing, rending  spirit,  that  had  crept  into  our  Society. 

Third,  fourth,  and  fifth  days,  attended  Farmington  Quarter- 
ly Meeting,  held  at  Scipio.     In  the  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders,  I  was  made  painfully  sensible  that  unbelief  had  got  into 
this  part  of  Society.     It  had  crept  in  as  the  serpent  creeps  on 
his  belly  among  the  weeds,  unperceived  and  unthought  of,  and 
was  secreted  under  the  plain  Christian  cloak,  while  it  was  en- 
deavoring to  undermine  the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  and  lay  waste 
the  discipHne,  and  destroy  all  good  order  in  our  Society.     I 
had  to  sound  an  alarm  among  them,  and  it  made  a  stir.     I  felt 
great  peace  for  the  discharge  of  duty  on  this  occasion.     In  the 
other  meetings  I  had  but  little  service,  except  to  set  the  exam- 
ple of  silence.  After  Quarterly  Meeting,  we  took  Salmon  Creek, 
Sempronius  and  Skaneateles.     From  there  we  went  to  De  Ruy- 
ter,  where  we  staid  until  their  Monthly  Meeting.     Fourth  day, 
the  28th,  which  was  another  trying  meeting ;  for  where  the 
head  is  sick  or  unsound,  it  is  not  to  be  marveled  that  the  body 
becomes  diseased.     Strength  was  given  to  bear  a  faithful  testi- 
mony and  sound  an  alarm  amongst  them,  so  as  to  feel  pretty 
well  relieved.     I  could  but  mourn  in  seeing  how  insensible  that 
meeting  was  of  its  own  state,  so  that  I  said  in  my  heart,  poor 
meeting !  thou  needest  eye-salve  to  give  thee  true  sight ;  may 
the  Lord  grant  thee  that  favor  before  it  be  too  late !     Then  re- 
turned to  Scipio,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day,  the 
2d  of  5th  month.     Thence  to  Hector,  and  had  a  meeting,  and 
another  at  Elmira,  on  our  way  to  Deerfield,  where  we  found 
Friends  in  a  sad  condition.     A  Minister  belonging  there  had 
gone  into  immoral  conduct,  and  drawn  a  party  with  him,  and 
got  the  meeting  into  such  a  state,  that  it  had  been  put  down 
for  awhile.    After  some  time,  a  few  of  them  not  feehng  easy 
to  live  so,  met  quietly  by  themselves.    The  Monthly  Meeting 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  259 

hearing  of  this  move,  appointed  a  committee  to  visit  them,  who 
went  and  sat  with  them,  and  approved  of  their  meeting,  but 
advised  them  to  go  to  the  meeting  house,  instead  of  meeting  at 
a  dwelling  house.  This  displaced  the  Minister  from  his  usual 
seat,  which  so  offended  him,  that  he  and  his  company  went  and 
sat  on  the  back  seats.  When  I  came  into  the  place  I  felt  my 
mind  arrested  to  call  Friends  and  their  families  together  by 
themselves.  Friends  had  kept  me  entirely  ignorant  of  their 
situation,  and  when  they  came  together,  to  see  them  sit  down 
in  two  distinct  bodies,  and  an  empty  seat  between  them  across 
the  house,  it  looked  strange.  But  I  soon  felt-  there  was  a  cause 
for  it.  I  sat  near  an  hour,  until  my  Master  gave  me  the  com- 
mand to  delay  no  longer.  I  rose  on  my  feet  in  faith,  and  He 
was  bountifully  good  to  me ;  He  furnished  with  matter,  ability, 
and  utterance,  so  that  it  was  acknowledged,  after  meeting,  the 
testimony  was  appropriate  and  well  applied.  Blessed  be  His 
name ! 

We  staid  hereabouts  until  first  day,  the  9th  of  5th  month, 
and  had  a  large  public  meeting,  which  was  truly  satisfactory. 
We  then  set  forward  for  Farmington,  and  on  our  way,  had  a 
meeting  at  Penn  Yan  with  the  towns  people.  It  proved  a  com- 
fortable time.  After  attending  Farmington  meeting,  we  had  a 
meeting  at  Palmyra  village,  on  sixth  day.  First  day  following, 
attended  Farmington  meeting,  where  I  was  enabled  fully  to 
clear  my  mind,  and  felt  much  relieved.  Second  day,  we  took 
our  departure,  and  journeyed  to  Moscow,  and  fell  in  with  Phin- 
eas  Butler,  at  whose  house  I  staid  twenty  years  before,  when 
in  the  eastern  country,  and  now  found  him  and  family  settled 
here,  a  pleasant  meeting  to  us  both.  Fourth  day,  attended 
their  meeting,  and  passed  on  to  Orangeville,  and  had  a  meet- 
ing there.  Then  went  to  Hamburgh,  and  had  a  large  meeting 
there.  Here,  I  fell  in  with  many  of  my  old  Friends,  who  ap- 
peared rejoiced  to  see  me.  From  here,  we  took  Holland,  Bos- 
ton and  Eden,  three  small  meetings,  in  our  way,  to  Collins, 
where  we  had  a  meeting  with  Friends,  and  had  another  meet- 
ing the  same  day,  about  three  miles  from  Friends  meeting- 


260  JOURNAL   OF 

house.  Then,  passed  on  to  Clear  Creek,  and  had  a  meeting 
•with  Friends  there.  This  closed  our  labors  in  Farmington 
Quarter. 

We  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  our  Friends,  and  set  for- 
ward for  Ohio  the  27th  of  5th  month,  passing  over  the  Indian 
Reservation,  a  fine  tract  of  rich  farming  land  as  I  had  ever  seen. 
Next  day,  we  got  into  Pennsylvania,  having  traveled  fifty 
miles,  through  a  fine,  flourishing  country  of  farming  land,  and 
good  roads.  29th,  we  traveled  forty-two  miles  through  a  new 
country,  and  lodged  at  Kingsville,  in  Ohio.  First  day,  30th, 
we  drove  fifty  miles,  mostly  on  the  turnpike,  through  a  new 
country.  31st,  we  drove  thirty  miles  and  reached  Salem  be- 
fore night,  and  put  up  with  Samuel  Davis,  where  we  found 
kind  reception.  Fourth-day,  the  2d  of  6th  month,  we  attend- 
ed Salem  meeting  in  course.  Fifth  day,  at  Springfield  meet- 
ing— ^both  satisfactory  meetings.  Sixth  day,  at  Goshen.  Sev- 
enth day  at  Lexington.  First  day,  the  6th,  we  were  at  Deer 
Creek  Meeting.  At  all  these  meetings,  the  Master  of  Israel's 
assemblies,  furnished  with  matter,  ability  and  utterance,  to  the 
satisfaction  of  my  own  mind,  and  my  friends,  among  whom  my 
lot  was  cast.  Second  day,  we  were  at  Marlborough  meeting. 
Third  day,  we  drove .  to  Kendall,  and  made  our  home  with 
Mayhew  Folger.  In  this  part  of  tbe  country,  we  saw  much 
land  made  almost  barren,  by  the  timber  having  been  destroyed 
by  fire.  After  having  a  poor  meeting  at  Kendall,  we  set  for- 
ward for  Augusta,  thirty  miles,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on 
sixth  day.  Seventh  day,  had  a  meeting  at  Sandy  Spring. 
First-day,  the  13th,  attended  New  Garden  meeting,  and  anoth- 
er at  four  in  the  afternoon  at  the  Grove.  At  a  number  of 
these  last  meetings,  a  coolness  too  generally  appeared  amongst 
Friends,  in  a  concern  for  the  cause  of  Truth,  and  the  things 
that  belong  to  their  peace.  Much  of  an  eager  pursuit  after  the 
world,  prevailed,  and  in  some  meetings  unity  and  Gospel  love 
were  much  wanting,  all  which  made  it  painful,  exercising  get- 
ting along.  But  the  Lord,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  and  bounti- 
ful in  helping,  so  strengthened  from  day  to  day,  with  ability 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  261 

and  utterance,  that  I  enjoyed  sweet  peace  and  solid  satisfaction. 
I  often  had  to  acknowledge,  it  is  Thou,  O  Lord !  who  carriest 
on  the  work ;  for  without  Thee,  I  can  do  nothing  to  Thy  hon- 
or, or  my  own  peace.  Therefore,  leave  me  not  in  this  strange 
land,  for  Thou  art  my  all  in  all ;  be  pleased  to  guard,  guide, 
and  lead  me  in  the  right  way  ;  for  Thine  is  the  kingdom,  the 
power,  and  glory  forever  more ! 

Second  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  New  Lisbon.  Third  day, 
at  Middleton.  Fourth  day,  at  Beaver  Falls,  in  Pennsylvania. 
From  there  we  went  to  Dry  Run,  and  had  a  small  meeting. 
Then  to  Carmel,  where  we  had  a  large,  comfortable  meeting ; 
and  seventh  day  we  attended  their  Monthly  Meeting,  to  our 
own  and  Friends'  satisfaction.  First  day,  the  20th,  we  attend- 
ed Eckron  meeting.  Second  day,  at  Middleton  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, where  my  Master  enabled  me  to  bear  an  honest,  faithful 
testimony,  and  rewarded  me  well  for  it.  Third  day,  had  a 
meeting  at  Fairfield,  and  attended  Salem  Monthly  Meeting  on 
Fourth  day,  the  23d,  where  was  a  body  of  solid  Friends. 
Their  business .  was  conducted  regularly,  and  in  harmony, 
though  they  told  me  it  had  been  far  otherwise.  A  class  had 
risen  up,  who  denied  some  of  the  doctrines  of  Friends,  exclaim- 
ing against,  and  endeavoring  to  lay  waste  the  discipline,  saying, 
"It  is  superstition — a  dead  letter — tyrannizing  over  conscience 
— and  we  must  go  by  the  Spirit,  and  have  liberty."  These  be- 
came so  wild  and  noisy,  that  Friends  could  see  no  other  way, 
than  to  disown  more  than  forty  persons,  within  the  compass  of 
Salem  Quarterly  Meeting;  since  which  their  meetings  have 
been  quiet  and  orderly.  Fifth  day,  we  attended  New  Garden 
Monthly  Meeting,  and  Sandy  Spring  Monthly  Meeting  on  sixth 
day,  in  both  of  which  I  had  to  go  into  close,  searching  labor, 
and  plain  dealing,  and  was  relieved  thereby.  Seventh  day  we 
had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Franklin.     First  day  had  another 

at .     Thence  to  Richmond,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on 

third  day.  "We  then  drove  to  Benjamin  Ladd's,  at  Smithfield, 
where  we  had  a  large  meeting  on  fourth  day,  made  up  of  diff- 
erent societies.     Here  I  was  led  into  doctrine  in  a  plain,  clear, 


262  JOURNAL   OP 

manner,  showing  the  emptiness  of  ceremonial  religion  without 
the  power  and  spirit  of  the  Gospel,  and  where  this  spirit  was 
enjoyed,  and  had  its  work  on  the  soul,  it  produced  regenera- 
tion, and  effected  its  salvation,  without  the  aid,  and  indepen- 
dent of  all  ceremony.  I  was  also  led  to  warn  them  not  to  pin 
their  faith  too  much  on  their  teachers ;  but  to  believe  in  the 
Light,  and  walk  in  the  Light,  that  they  might  see  for  them- 
selves. I  was  enabled  to  show  them  what  the  Light  was,  and 
how  to  know  it.  I  was  told  that  my  doctrine  did  not  suit  all ; 
but  knowing  it  to  be  the  truth,  and  upon  serious  reflection, 
feeling  conscious  that  I  was  rightly  authorized  to  deliver  it,  I 
was  well  satisfied  on  my  own  account.  But  to  my  sorrow,  I 
have  often  observed  that  there  are  those  among  Friends,  who 
seem  more  concerned  to  have  their  neighbors  pleased,  than  to 
have  sound  doctrine  preached. 

After  this  meeting,  we  went  to  Short  Creek,  and  attended 
their  mid-week  meeting,  on  fifth  day,  the  1st  of  7th  month,  and 
had  an  appointed  meeting  the  same  day  at  Mount  Pleasant. 
2d,  we  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Concord.  In  these  three 
last  meetings,  the  Gospel  flowed  gently  and  clear,  and  I  found 
good  acceptance  with  my  Friends  here.  Thence  to  Plainfield, 
where  we  attended  their  first  day  meeting  on  the  4th.  5th, 
had  a  meeting  at  Goshen.  6th,  had  a  meeting  at  Captina. 
7th,  at  Somerset.  8th,  attended  the  Ridge  meeting.  In  this 
route,  my  labors  in  general,  were  close,  searching,  and  plain. 
There  appeared  too  generally,  a  slackness  in  the  minds  of 
Friends,  in  regard  to  feeling  after  the  life  of  pure,  spiritual  re- 
ligion ;  and  many  were  settled  down  in  the  smooth  form  of 
godliness,  entirely  void  of  the  substantial  power,  and  vital  life 
of  the  Gospel  day;  burdens  to  society,  and  often  bringing 
grievous  burdens  on  the  shoulders  of  the  living  in  the  Church ; 
which  they  will  not  touch  with  the  tip  of  their  fingers  to  give 
relief.  But  in  most  of  these  meetings,  there  were  those  who 
endeavored  to  stand  faithful,  and  labor  honestly,  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness.  I  was  led  to  feel 
much  for  these,  and  sometimes  was  authorized  to  encourage 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  263 

them,  in  feelings  of  pure  love  and  Gospel  sympathy,  to  hold  on 
their  way,  to  stand  faithful,  and  fill  up  their  measure  in  their 
generation,  that  the  crown  at  the  end  of  the  race,  thereby  would 
be  made  sure;  an  ample  reward  for  all  we  pass  through  in 
time. 

Sixth  day,  the  9th,  we  visited  Stillwater ;  a  large  meeting, 
and  a  number  of  substantial  Friends  there ;  yet  there  were  oth- 
er descriptions  among  them.  We  had  a  favored  meeting,  and 
the  Truth  went  forth  in  its  own  authority.  On  first  day,  the 
11th,  we  attended  that  meeting  again,  and  was  authorized  and 
enabled  to  bear  a  faithful  testimony  against  oppressive  specula- 
tions, over-reaching  in  trade,  and  dealing  onejwith  another,  to  get 
gain ;  showing  that  it  was  often  oppressive,  causing  the  needy 
to  groan,  and  the  hearts  of  the  oppressed  to  cry,  whose  cry 
reacheth  the  ear  of  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth,  and  he  reserves  a  just 
retribution  for  the  oppressor,  against  the  awful  day  of  solemn 
account.  I  had  to  proclaim  a  solemn  warning,  and  leave  it 
with  them,  and  felt  my  mind  not  only  relieved,  but  refi-esbed. 
The  hearts  of  many  Friends  were  made  glad ;  and  some  of 
them  told  me,  that  my  testimony  was  entirely  appropriate,  and 
fittingly  applied  to  the  conduct  and  states  of  some  in  that 
meeting ;  sufferers,  as  well  as  oppressors.  Oh  !  I  felt  renewed 
cause,  in  deep  humility,  to  recount  the  marvelous,  tender  deal- 
ings of  my  God,  in  leading  me  in  the  right  way,  and  sustaining 
me  through  the  many  and  deep  exercises  He  was  pleased  to 
lead  me ;  making  strong  my  arm  in  the  day  of  battle,  to  the 
exalting  of  the  standard  of  Truth  and  Righteousness ;  I  hope  to 
the  praise  of  His  ever  adorable  name  ! 

Second  day,  the  12th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Richland.  Third 
day,  went  to  Gurnsey,  and  attended  their  Preparative  Meeting 
on  fourth  day.  Fifth  day,  had  a  meeting  at  Freeport.  Sixth 
day,  at  Bushy  Fork.  Seventh  day  we  drove  to  West  Grove, 
and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day,  the  1 8th.  Second  day, 
we  had  a  meeting  on  our  way  to  Short  Creek.  These  latter 
places  visited,  are  mostly  in  new  parts  of  the  country;  the 
meetings  small,  and  some  of  them  weak.     I  felt  much  for  them. 


264  JOURNAL  OF 

and  was  enabled  to  impart  such  counsel  and  encouragement  as 
my  good  Master  furnished  me  with.  Third  day,  we  attended 
Short  Creek  Monthly  Meeting,  where  the  business  was  con- 
ducted in  harmony,  and  with  condescension.  Fourth  day,  wc 
attended  Concord  Monthly  Meeting.  I  sat  the  meeting  for 
worship,  through  in  silence,  occasioned  by  a  woman  Friend, 
who  suppressed  her  gift.  I  passed  through  the  meeting, 
and  got  no  relief.  After  meeting,  I  told  the  woman  of  it ;  she 
confessed,  with  tears,  that  she  had  withheld  her  gift,  fearing 
she  would  take  up  the  time  from  others.  Thus,  by  giving  way 
to  reasoning,  and  not  minding  her  Lord's  direction,  slie  shut 
up  the  door  of  the  Ministry  that  day,  and  hurt  the  meeting 
much,  so  that  through  the  business  meeting,  things  dragged 
heavily.  As  I  got  no  relief  that  day,  I  had  to  return  there 
again,  and  was  enabled  to  clear  my  mind,  aiid  get  relief. 

After  the  Monthly  Meeting  closed,  we  went  to  Wheeling,  and 
had  a  meeting  there  that  evening.  Fifth  day,  we  set  forward 
for  the  head  of  Wheeling,  and  had  a  small  meeting  with  the 
few  Friends  there,  on  sixth  day.  After  meeting,  we  drove  to 
Washington,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  lodged  with  William  Min- 
nakin ;  he  and  his  family  were  kind,  and  the  only  Friends  in 
the  place.  Seventh  day,  we  journeyed  to  Pike  Run,  in  Red 
Stone  Quarter.  First  day,  the  25th,  we  had  a  large,  favored 
meeting  there.  Second  day,  we  had  a  large,  solid  meeting  at 
Westland.  Third  day,  we  drove  to  Muddy  Creek  settlement. 
Fourth  day  we  were  at  the  Ridge  meeting,  and  went  to  South 
Fork,  where,  on  fifth  day,  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  a  Baptist 
meeting  house.  The  doctrines  of  Truth,  in  the  love  of  the 
Gospel,  flowed  freely,  and  a  comfortable  solemnity  spread  over 
the  meeting ;  but  soon  after  I  sat  down,  a  noisy  man  rose,  and 
undertook  to  explain  what  I  had  delivered,  and  ran  into  wild 
ranterism,  exclaiming  against  all  government.  He  detained  the 
meeting  sometime,  and  got  it  all  in  a  jostle.  When  he  stopped, 
I  saw  it  necessary  to  make  some  plain  remarks  on  some  of  his 
movements  and  discourse,  showing  the  people  what  was  our 
belief,  and  our  reasons  therefor.      This,  gathered  the  people 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  265 

into  a  quiet  again,  much  to  their  satisfaction ;  which  they  ex- 
pressed after  meeting ;  and  as  I  sat  down,  I  informed  the  people 
that  the  service  of  the  meeting  was  closed;  and  so  gave  him  no 
opportunity  for  the  second  harangue,  for  which  the  people  were 
glad ;  so  I  parted  with  them,  glad  to  escape  so  well,  and  went 
to  Redstone,  where,  on  6th  day,  we  had  a  meeting.  This  was 
once  a  large  meeting,  but  now  much  run  down.  After  sitting 
in  this  meeting  some  length  of  time  under  a  weight  of  exercise, 
I  felt  constrained  to  arise  on  my  feet  But  looking  to  the  right 
hand  and  left,  I  saw  several  on  the  front  seats  who  appeared  to 
be  fast  asleep,  and  a  number  in  the  body  of  the  meeting  in  the 
same  situation.  I  concluded  it  would  be  of  no  use  to  preach 
to  them ;  but  feeling  no  release,  I  rose  on  my  feet,  and  after 
speaking  a  few  words,  I  spoke  with  a  sharp  tone  of  voice, 
*'  Friends,  do  wake  up,  for  I  think  I  am  rightly  authorized  to 
deliver  a  discourse,  and  want  you  to  hear  me,  so  as  to  under- 
stand what  I  say,  which  you  cannot  if  you  are  asleep,  so  as  to 
have  any  correct  judgment  about  it."  By  this  time  they  were 
all  awake.  I  then  proceeded  as  matter  and  utterance  was  giv- 
en, and  was  led  into  a  close,  plain,  searching  discourse,  and 
mercifully  enabled  to  clear  my  mind,  so  as  to  feel  well  satisfied. 
Seventh  day,  had  a  meeting  at  Centre.  First  day,  1st  of  8th 
month,  we  attended  Providence  Meeting.  Second  day,  at 
Sewickly  Meeting,  held  the  3d  hour  in  the  afternoon.  Fourth 
day,  following,  we  attended  Redstone  Monthly  Meeting,  where 
there  was  room  for  much  labor.  May  it  prove  useful  to  them. 
After  this  meeting,  we  crossed  the  river,  to  attend  the  Quarter- 
ly Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Westland,  on  6th  and  lih  days  of 
of  the  month  and  week ;  and  though  the  life  of  pure  religion 
was  low  in  those  parts,  and  several  meetings  had  almost  run 
down,  yet  it  pleased  the  holy  Shepherd  of  Israel,  in  his  tender 
mercies,  to  favor  with  His  presence  through  the  several  sittings 
thereof.  The  business  was  conducted  in  harmony,  the  honest- 
hearted  were  encouraged  to  faithfulness,  both  in  their  private 
walk,  and  in  the  honest  maintenance  of  the  discipline ;  the  lat- 
ter being  too  much  neglected.  Wherever  this  is  the  case, 
17 


266  JOURNAL    OF 

•weakness  and  a  falling  away,  are  certain  to  ensue,  and  such 
meetings  get  into  a  lifeless,  formal  state  of  security — hard  to  be 
helped,  or  made  to  believe  they  need  a  helper — a  dangerous, 
pitiful  condition,  much  indeed,  to  be  mourned  over  in  this  land. 
I  had  to  travail,  clad  with  the  spirit  of  mourning,  and  to  labor 
under  the  weight  of  its  impression. 

First  day,  the  8th,  was  the  closing,  parting  meeting.  The 
power  of  the  Gospel  arose  in  dominion  over  all  opposing  spir- 
its ;  its  doctrines  flowed  freely,  and  the  meeting  closed  under  a 
heavenly  solemnity.  Honor,  thanks,  and  everlasting  praises, 
be  ascribed  to  the  Lord  God,  and  the  Lamb,  saith  my  soul ! 

Not  feeling  clear  of  Redstone,  we  had  a  meeting  appointed 
at  the  fourth  hour  in  the  afternoon,  at  this  place.  The  Lord 
enabled  me  to  sound  the  alarm,  in  a  solemn,  searching  manner, 
and  was  led  to  show  how  Satan  had  got  among  them,  and  what 
he  had  done,  and  that  that  the  love  of  many  had  waxed  cold.  I 
felt  my  mind  well  relieved,  and  thankful  to  the  Lord  therefor. 
Second  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Sandy  Hill,  and  on  third 
day  we  crossed  Laurel  Hill,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on  fourth 
day.  The  next  day,  we  again  crossed  Laurel  Hill,  to  a  neigh- 
borhood near  Waynesburgh,  where,  (after  traveling  ten  miles), 
we  had  a  meeting  with  the  Baptists  and  others.  It  was  as  full 
a  meeting  as  could  be  expected  ;  the  people  sat  quiet,  and  ap- 
peared attentive,  received  the  visit  courteously,  and  made  no 
objections,  though  plain  truths  were  told  them.  After  this 
meeting,  we  drove  to  Pike  Run,  and  on  first  day,  the  15th,  at- 
tended that  meeting  ;  it  was  large,  and  a  favored  time. 

Second  day,  we  had  a  public  meeting  at  Fallowfield ;  the 
house  not  being  large  enough  to  hold  the  people,  it  was  held 
in  the  woods.  It  was  a  satisfactory  meeting  to  me,  and  I  now 
felt  clear  to  return  to  Ohio.  On  third  day,  we  arrived  at 
Washington,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  made  our  home  with  Wil- 
liam Minaken.  I  felt  my  mind  arrested  to  have  a  meeting  in 
this  place,  but  a  member  of  our  Society  from  the  city  of  Wash- 
ington, a  little  before,  and  who  had  a  meeting  there — had  giv- 
en such  general  dissatisfaction,  that  the  prospect  of  getting  a 


JOSEPH   HO AG.  267 

meeting,  looked  gloomy.  But  not  feeling  easy  without  making 
a  trial,  we  appointed  one  for  tlie  evening  of  the  19th,  when 
quite  a  body  of  people  came  together ;  yet  many  said  they 
would  not  come  to  be  black-guarded,  but  those  who  came,  sat 
quiet.  I  sat  sometime  under  deep  exercise  and  fear — but  not 
of  man — until  I  felt  the  authority  of  Truth  to  put  me  forth, 
and  in  it  I  arose  on  my  feet,  and  as  utterance  was  given,  the 
Gospel  was  preached  without  equivocation  or  flattery.  It  went 
forth  in  its  own  authority,  and  settled  on  the  people,  and  they 
settled  under  it.  I  was  told  the  people  acknowledged  to  the 
truth  of  the  doctrine.  I  felt  my  mind  much  relieved  and  made 
glad,  and  had  thankfully  to  acknowledge,  that  strong  is  the 
arm  of  the  Lord,  and  mighty  is  He,  in  the  day  of  battle  ! 

Sixth  day,  we  drove  to  Wheeling,  in  Virginia,  and  put  up 
with  a  Friend,  who  had  been  made  considerable  account  of. 
We  proposed  having  a  meeting  in  the  town,  but  he  refused  to 
give  any  aid  or  countenance  to  the  prospect ;  so  on  seventh 
day,  we  went  to  Concord,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first 
day,  the  2 2d,  and  staid  thereabout  until  fourth  day,  and  attend- 
ed the  Monthly  Meeting  there.  Here  I  fell  in  with  a  preacher 
from  Long  Island — ^head  quarters — with  a  good  certificate.  He 
seemed  glad  to  see  me,  but  my  feelings  drew  back  from  him, 
and  I  could  not  account  for  it.  However,  when  the  time  came, 
we  went  to  meeting.  It  was  my  lot  to  bear  testimony  first ; 
he  soon  followed,  and  at  first  seemed  to  unite  with  what  had 
been  said,  but  soon  run  across,  and  quoted  the  fall  of  Adam 
and. Eve  in  the  Garden,  with  what  transpired — pretty  correctly 
— -and  drew  some  rational  inferences  from  them ;  then  wound  up 
with  asserting,  "  These  things  are  all  allegories."  After  meet- 
ing, I  asked  him,  what  house  he  was  going  to,  and  went  to  the 
same.  As  soon  as  I  could  get  an  opportunity,  I  remarked  to 
him  that  I  very  much  doubted  any  Quaker  Minister  ever  hav- 
ing right  authority  to  state,  that  those  facts  of  truth  which  are 
stated  in  the  Scriptures,  were  nothing  but  allegories.  He 
made  no  reply,  so  I  let  it  pass,  in  hopes  a  few  words  were  suf- 
ficient.    After  dmner,  we  went  to  Plainfield,  to  attend  that 


268  JOURNAL    OF 

Monthly  Meeting,  which  was  held  on  fifth  day.  Here,  it  was 
my  lot  to  bear  testimony  first,  again  ;  and,  as  it  turned,  I  Was 
glad  ;  for  he  went  on  the  same  ground,  spread  broad  sails,  run 
across  my  testimony,  and  asserted  that  several  accounts  stated 
in  Scripture  as  facts,  were  allegories ;  and  this,  with  a  good 
deal  of  confidence.  After  meeting,  I  went  to  the  same  house 
that  he  did,  and  remarked  to  him,  that  I  had  no  opinion  of 
Quaker  preachers  telling  the  people  that  this,  that,  and  the 
other  part  of  the  Scriptures,  were  nothing  but  allegories,  and 
50  turning  it  into  a  novel  book ;  for  it  set  the  young  people  to 
reasoning  and  disputing  it,  (the  Bible),  introduced  divisions, 
and  did  much  hurt ;  religious  speculation  ran  high  in  our  land, 
and  it  waS  highly  needful  for  Friends  to  keep  to  sound  princi- 
ples. He  turned  and  looked  me  full  in  the  face,  and  said,  "All 
the  Ministers  who  come  from  England  believe  that  the  death 
and  sufferings  of  Christ  did  something  for  us."  I  then  saw 
that  he  was  one  of  those  who  denied  the  Divinity  of  Jesus 
Christ,  the  propitiatory  sacrifice,  and  the  atonement;  and  be- 
lieved that  he  came  into  the  world  as  all  other  men  ;  that  he 
was  a  good  man,  and  died  a  martyr  to  his  principle.  They  also 
deny  the  being  of  satan,  and  they  say  and  preach  that  there  is 
no  devil,  only  what  originates  in  man.  I  looked  him  as  full  in 
the  face,  and  replied,  it  is  our  ancient  principle,  that  agreeable 
to  the  statement  of  John  the  Evangelist :  In  the  beginning  was 
the  Word ;  and  the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God. 
And  the  worlds  were  made  by  Him.  And  without  Him  was 
nothing  made  that  was  made.  And  the  Word  was  made  flesh, 
and  dwelt  amongst  men.  So  that  we  see  Divinity  took  on  it 
humanity,  and  Jesus  Christ  never  resigned  the  glory  He  had 
with  the  Father,  before  the  world  was,  and  took  on  Him  hu- 
manity for  the  sake  of  devils ;  that  is  out  of  the  question.  Nei- 
ther did  He  come  for  the  animal  part  of  creation,  for  they  are 
not  possessed  of  immortal  spirits ;  so  that  His  conception,  birth, 
life,  ministry,  miracles,  crucifixion,  resurrection,  and  ascension 
were  all  for  man.  These  are  our  ancient  principles,  and  they 
are  mine ;  and  I  can  find  no  where  to   par£  or  divide  Him. 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  269 

And,  it  is  marvelous  to  me  that  any  finite  creature  should  sup- 
pose that  the  great  fountain  of  eternal  knowledge  had  not  wis- 
dom, so  to  order  the  business  and  lay  the  plan,  so  as  to  answer 
the  great  purpose  designed,  for  the  past,  present,  and  to  come. 
At  this,  he  turned  from  me  without  any  reply,  and  seemed  shy 
of  me  afterwards.  I  sought  an  opportunity  to  clear  my  mind 
to  him,  but  he  would  not  hear  me.  I  then  gave  him  up  to  run 
his  own  course.  But  it  brought  me  into  a  sad  strait,  he  being 
from  head  quarter,  and  I  only  a  back-woodsman,  and  both  from 
the  same  Yearly  Meeting,  and  directly  across  each  other  in  our 
testimonies.  This,  I  saw  would  bring  exercise  on  Friends,  for 
I  felt  no  liberty  to  deviate  from  my  principles  nor  give  up  my 
testimony.  So  I  concluded  to  let  him  alone,  and  let  Friends 
decide  between  us.  After  this,  my  companion  and  myself 
went  to  St.  Clairsville,  where  I  had  once  been  disappointed  in 
obtaining  much  of  a  meeting,  owing  to  the  neglect  of  those 
Friends,  who  took  it  upon  them  to  inform  the  people.  I  now 
went  to  another  house,  and  employed  others,  who  were  faith- 
ful; we  had  a  large,  crowded  meeting  and  a  highly  favored 
time,  so  that  those  who  neglected  me  before,  wanted  me  to  go 
to  their  houses ;  but  I  thought  if  I  had  got  my  credit  up,  it  was 
best  for  me  to  go  about  my  own  business.  After  this  meeting, 
we  drove  to  Stillwater.  Seventh  day,  we  attended  Stillwater 
Monthly  Meeting,  where  I  had  good  service,  and  felt  sweet 
peace  therein,  as  also  the  first  day  meeting,  the  29th,  at  the 
same  place.  Second  day,  we  attended  Somerset  Monthly 
Meeting.  Third  day,  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  Min- 
inters  and  Elders  at  Stillwater.  Fourth  day,  the  1st  of  9th 
month,  we  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  worship  and 
discipline.  Here,  I  fell  in  with  my  Long  Island  friend  again, 
and,  as  before,  I  bore  testimony  first.  We  both  went  our  own 
way.  While  I  was  on  my  feet,  my  aged  Friend,  Hugh  Judge, 
sat  quietly  ;  but  soon  after  the  other  Friend  arose,  he  grew  un- 
easy, and  would  look  on  him  wishfully.  Soon  after  he  sat 
down,  the  meeting  proceeded  to  business,  took  hold  of  it  in  a 
solid  manner,  and  conducted  it  with  dignity,  and  in  harmony. 


270  JOURNAL     OF 

Fifth  day,  we  attended  Plainfield  meeting,  and  then  bent  our 
course  for  the  Yearly  Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Mount  Pleasant. 
It  commenced  on  Seventh  day,  the  4th  of  9th  month.  When 
we  arrived  there,  we  found  many  Friends  much  stirred  in  mind, 
and  they  frequently  came  to  me  to  know,  if  I  believed  in 
that  man's  doctrine — and  told  me  that  he  had  asserted  in  one 
of  his  sermons  in  that  place,  that  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the 
world  as  all  the  rest  of  us  did,  sin  only  ex^pted.  Did  I  be- 
lieve that  ?  I  told  them  no,  I  did  not,  as  I  had  answered 
several  times.  This  inquiry  came  so  frequent,  I  told  some  of 
them  I  had  always  been  an  open  man  with  them,  and  had  al- 
ways preached  the  principles  I  believe  in ;  I  had  gone  over  a 
great  part  of  that  Yearly  Meeting,  and  I  thought  they  had  had 
opportunity  to  become  acquainted  with  my  public  and  private 
conversation  enough  to  be  satisfied.  They  acknowledged  they 
had  not  discovered  anything,  and  after  that  they  let  me  alone  on 
that  head.  But  the  Friend  went  on  his  own  way,  and  gave  great 
dissatisfaction.  Friends  let  him  know  that  his  sentiments  were 
unsavory,  and  that  some  of  his  communications  were  not  accept- 
able. He  neither  replied,  nor  paid  attention  to  it.  At  length, 
when  the  meeting  had  the  query  before  it,  on  the  subject  of  read- 
ing the  Scriptures,  this  Friend  arose  and  stated,  that  it  was  an 
unsuitable  book  for  children,  and  young,  inexperienced  persons  to 
read ;  and  he  thought  dangerous,  as  they  could  not  understand 
it,  and  that  none  ought  to  read  it,  except  when  the  Spirit  of 
Truth  was  on  them,  to  give  them  a  right  understanding  of  it. 
This  cut  me  to  the  heart,  hearing  such  a  communication  from 
a  member  of  my  own  Yearly  Meeting ;  and  knowing  for  myself 
that  when  I  was  quite  a  child,  reading  the  Scriptures  had  intro- 
duced my  mind  into  the  most  substantial  ideas  of  the  Great 
Supreme  Being,  and  into  the  sublime  views  of  His  divine  attri- 
butes. It  caused  my  heart  to  bleed,  and  all  within  me  to  re- 
ject the  communication.  While  I  was  musing,  the  subject  was 
taken  up  by  several,  largely  and  fairly  investigated,  and  the 
meeting  closed,  without  a  dissenting  voice,  in  judgment  of  the 
unsoundness  of  his  communication,  and  that  it  was  false  doc- 


JOSEPH   HOAO.  271 

triae ;  this  pretty  much  stilled  him  through  the  remaining  part 
of  the  meeting.  At  the  close,  the  meeting  refused  to  give  him 
any  return  of  approbation  to  take  home.  A  solid  committee 
had  an  interview  with  him  ;  he  gave  them  no  satisfaction,  but 
refused  to  give  them  any  answer  to  what  they  said.  I  was 
told  he  was  advised  to  go  home.  He  paid  no  attention  to  it, 
but  went  into  Bedstone  Quarter,  visited  neayly  all  its  meetings, 
and  continued  to  preach  his  spurious  doctrine.  These  occur- 
rences embarrassed  me  more  than  anything  else  that  ever  hap- 
pened to  me  while  away  from  home.  It  rendered  me  almost 
useless  through  the  Yearly  Meeting,  though  I  had  solid  satis- 
fe,ction,  in  seeing  the  meeting  transact  the  weighty  and  inter- 
esting concerns  that  came  before  it,  with  solemnity,  dignity, 
and  harmony.  It  was  truly  strengthening  to  my  drooping 
mind,  to  see  that  the  Lord  continued  to  be  the  wisdom  of  His 
people,  and  the  crown  of  their  assemblies. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  I  felt  my  mind  so 
solemnly  arrested  to  return  into  Eed  Stone  Quarter,  that  it 
tried  my  feelings  exceedingly,  having  had  a  prospect  of  attend- 
ing Indiana  Yearly  Meeting ;  but  this  lay  so  heavily  on  me, 
that  I  could  see  no  way  to  enjoy  peace  than  to  stand  resigned 
to  it. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  ended  on  sixth  day  the  10th  of  9th 
month.  We  staid  thereabout  until  second  day,  the  13th,  and 
then  went  to  Wheeling,  in  order  to  have  a  meeting.  I  had 
told  Friends  how  I  had  fared  when  there  before  ;  they  inform* 
cd  me  that  the  Friend  and  his  wife  whom  I  called  on,  wese 
both  under  dealing,  which  they  supposed  was  the  reason  I  met 
with  such  crusty  treatment.  We  called  on  other  Friends  and 
found  no  difficulty  in  getting  a  full  meeting,  which  was  a  favor- 
ed time.  From  this  we  went  to  the  head  of  Wheeling,  and 
had  a  meeting  there  on  fourth  day.  After  it,  we  drove  to 
Washington,  and  put  up  at  my  old  Friend  Minaken's.  Fifth 
day,  drove  to  Westland,  twenty  miles,  by  meeting-time.  Sixth 
day,  drove  to  Muddy  Creek,  and  on  seventh  day  had  a  meeting 
there,  and  returned  to  Frederickton,  sixteen  miles,  where  we 


272  JOURNAL   OF 

had  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  and  after  this  we  went  to  our 
esteemed  Friend,  George  Smith's,  to  lodge ;  he,  I  think,  is  a 
good  pillar  in  the  church.  First  day,  the  19th,  we  went  to 
Pike  Run,  and  had  a  meeting  at  Bettysville  at  three  in  the  af- 
ternoon. Second  day,  we  went  to  Red  Stone,  and  had  an  ap- 
pointed meeting.  Third  day,  we  attended  their  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, and  drove  to  Sewickly,  fifteen  miles.  Fifth  day,  the  23cl, 
we  attended  Providence  Monthly  Meeting,  where  I  was  led  to 
sift  and  investigate  doctrines — to  me  it  was  marvelous.  Af- 
ter meeting  I  met  with  several  of  their  first  members,  one  of 
whom,  in  the  presence  of  the  others,  told  me  that  it  was  believ- 
ed by  the  solid  part  of  Friends,  that  my  coming  among  them 
at  that  time,  was  in  the  ordering  of  Providence  ;  as  that  Long 
Island  preacher  had  gone  through  but  a  few  days  before,  had 
given  great  uneasiness,  and  set  many  of  their  members  to  rea- 
soning, and  questioning  the  correctness  of  our  principles  ;  that 
they  were  alarmed,  but  had  observed  that  in  my  movements,  I 
had  followed  after  the  Long  Island  man,  and  as  far  as  I  had 
heard,  wherever  he  had  held  up  his  erroneous  sentiments,  in 
the  course  of  my  communication,  I  had  gone  over  the  same 
subject,  and  had  been  enabled  to  lay  it  waste  with  such  clear- 
ness, that  they  thought  it  was  in  Divine  mercy  to  that  land 
that  I  was  sent  back ;  that  several  times  I  had  taken  the  same 
text  that  he  did,  as  I  had  that  day,  and  from  it  refuted  his 
preaching  in  such  a  manner,  that  it  was  not  only  marvelous  in 
their  eyes,  but  rejoicing  to  them ;  and  they  hoped  it  would 
check  the  rage,  if  not  put  out  the  strange  fire  that  was  kindled, 
and  strengthen  and  settle  those  who  were  inclined  to  adhere 
to  the  principles  of  Truth.  These  remarks  very  much  relieved 
my  mind,  for  to  come  back  had  seemed,  I  thought,  more  bitter 
than  wormwood  and  gall.  I  had  traveled  with  a  heavy  heart, 
often  asking  in  my  mind,  why  I  was  brought  here,  where  I 
had  labored  so  much,  and  why  I  was  led  in  testimony  in  the 
manner  I  was  ;  but  now,  the  Lord  was  pleased  in  this  way  to 
show  me  why.  It  was  not  only  relieving  but  humbling  to  my 
soul,  and  I  said  in  my  heart,  "0,  surdy  the  Lord  knows  best 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  273 

what  is  best,  how,  when  and  where  to  send  His  servants ;  who 
also  goeth  before  them  in  all  His  puttings  forth,  and  safely 
leads  them,  causing  them  to  behold  His  wonders  in  the  deeps, 
*which  is  marvelous  in  their  eyes !' "  After  this,  I  went  on 
pretty  cheerfully. 

Sixth  day  we  had  a  meeting  at  Union  school-house,  and  re- 
turned to  Westland.  Seventh  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at 
"Waynesburgh,  and  after  meeting  we  drove  fourteen  miles  to 
John  Haines'.  First  day,  the  26th,  we  rode  to  Centre,  twelve 
miles,  and  attended  that  meeting,  and  appointed  another  for 
second  day,  where  I  had  an  opportunity  to  relieve  and  clear  my 
mind.  Third  day,  we  drove  to  Sandy  Hill.  Fourth  day,  we  set 
forward  to  cross  the  Alleghany  and  Blue  Ridges,  for  Lynchburgh 
in  Virginia,  and  traveled  industriously  until  the  2d  of  10th  month, 
when  we  got  amongst  Friends,  and  put  up  with  Joseph  Lapham. 
First  day,  the  3d,  we  attended  their  little  meeting,  which  was 
almost  run  down  by  Friends  moving  away,  the  aged  ones  dying 
off,  and  the  young  ones  leaving  the  Society — many  of  them 
by  marrying  into  slaveholding  families,  which  stride,  generally 
proves  fatal  to  principles  and  morals.  Second  day,  we  resum- 
ed our  journey,  and  arrived  at  Lynchburgh  on  sixth  day,  the 
8th,  and  attended  their  Monthly  Meeting,  which  I  found  much 
better  than  I  expected  from  reports.  Though  they  were  but 
few,  they  appeared  concerned  to  keep  up  their  meetings  re- 
putably, and  to  conduct  their  business  regularly  and  in  order. 
I  felt  authorized  to  encourage  them  to  faithfulness,  believing  I 
felt  the  presence  of  the  Lord  to  be  with  us,  agreeably  to  His 
promise,  that  where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  in  His 
name,  He  will  be  in  the  midst ;  and  where  His  presence  is  felt, 
there  is  Ijfe  and  strength.  We  staid  their  first  day  meeting, 
which  was  a  favored  time,  and  then  parted  with  them  affection- 
ately.    I  felt  well  rewarded  for  my  visit. 

On  second  day,  the  11th,  we  set  forward  for  New  Garden,  in 
North  Carolina.  When  we  had  traveled  two  days,  one  of  our 
horses  was  taken  sick  and  died.  This  detained  us  two  days 
more,  and  not  being  able  to  procure  another,  we  proceeded 


274  JOURNAL    OF 

with  one  horse,  traveled  twenty  miles  a  day,  and  in  two  days 
got  among  Friends  at  Hopewell  on  seventh  day,  where,  in  a 
short  time,  we  attended  the  burial  of  an  aged  Friend.  This 
gave  opportunity,  and  we  embraced  it,  to  give  notice  of  our  in- 
tention to  be  at  that  meeting  next  day,  which  was  large  and 
much  favored,  there  was  great  openness  in  the  minds  of  the 
people  to  hear  the  truth,  whether  they  were  disposed  to  obey 
or  not.  Second  day,  the  18th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  New  Gar 
den,  and  next  day  we  lay  by  for  Friends  to  provide  us  a  horse, 
which  they  appeared  to  do  cheerfully,  showing  much  sympathy 
for  us. 

Fourth  day,  we  were  at  Concord  meeting.  Fifth  day  at  Cen- 
tre. Sixth  day,  at  Providence.  First  day  at  Back  Creek 
meeting.  Second  day  at  Marlborough.  Third  day,  at  Salem. 
Fourth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Springfield,  where  I  felt  the 
Truth  to  arise  in  dominion  over  all  opposition — the  sturdy  had 
to  jb'bw  and  acknowledge  to  it.  Next  day,  we  were  at  Deep 
River,  thence  to  Providence  again  on  seventh  day,  and  had  a 
meeting  there;  returned  to  New  Garden,  and  attended  that 
meeting  on  first  day  the  31st,  wherei,  after  delivering  a  testimo- 
ny, relieving  to  my  mind,  I  took,  I  believe,  my  final  farewell  of 
North  Carolina.  In  this  little  tour,  my  gracious  Lord  and  good 
Master  enabled  me  to  relieve,  and  clear  my  mind  of  a  burden, 
that  had  laid  upon  it  for  a  number  of  years.  I  also  cleared  my 
mind  to  several  individuals,  some  of  whom  had  used  me  very 
ill  when  I  was  there  before,  without  any  just  provocation. 

After  getting  clear  of  this  land,  on  second  day  morning,  the 
1st  of  11th  month,  we  took  our  departure  for  Tennessee,  with 
joyful  hearts,  and  thankful  to  the  God  of  all  our  sure  mercies, 
for  His  abundant  help  in  this  needful  time.  And  I  now  have 
to  acknowledge,  that  I  fully  believe,  that  he  was  mercifully 
pleased  to  be  my  director,  and  to  furnish  with  matter,  ability 
and  understanding,  how  and  where  to  labor,  suitable  to  the  oc- 
casion. Oh,  let  pure  worship  and  thanksgiving  be  rendered  to 
His  holy  goodness,  and  everlasting  high  praises  to  His  eternal, 
worthy  name,  saith  my  soul ! 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  2V5 

We  traveled  two  hundred  miles  on  our  way,  without  making 
any  stop  except  what  nature  called  for.  Our  new  horse  failing, 
it  took  us  seven  days  with  diligence,  and  great  expense  to  get 
amongst  Friends.  We  arrived  at  Mark  Reeves',  second  day, 
8th  of  11th  month.  My  companion  being  unwell  we  remained 
thereabouts  several  days  and  had  several  meetings,  one  at  a 
school  house „ near  Mark|Reeves',  at  the  boat  yard;  both  of 
these  were  satisfactory.  Had  another  at  Lime  Stone,  a  poor 
run  down  meeting ;  several  of  its  leading  members  having  gone 
from  Friends,  and  joined  the  Ranters,  who  call  themselves 
Christians.  First  day,  the  1 4th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  the  same 
place,  painful  enough.  There  came  a  number  of  these  dark, 
wild  people  to  it.  The  Lord  in  his  wonted  goodness,  gave  mc 
a  clear  sight,  and  strengthened  me  to  deliver  His  message  to 
them  in  such  authority  that  I  met  with  no  interruption  from 
them.  Good  is  the  Lord  and  greatly  to  be  loved  and  feared  ! 
Second  day,  we  went  to  New  Hope.  Third  day  bad  a  meeting 
there,  and  attended  their  Preparative  Meeting  on  fourth  day. 
Fifth  day,  we  had  meeting  at  Westland.  Sixth  day  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  for  Tennessee  came  on,  held  at  that  place.  It 
was  much  larger  than  I  expected,  as  many  Friends  had  moved 
into  the  western  country.  It  was  evident  that  Truth  owned 
the  several  sittings  of  the  meeting.  Their  business  was  con- 
ducted with  weight,  order,  and  much  harmony.  I  was  com- 
forted in  being  with  them,  feeling  the  Gospel  spring  to  arise 
with  life  and  strength,  and  to  flow  freely ;  settling  upon  the 
people  as  dew  upon  herbs.  Truly  it  was  a  refreshing  time  to 
the  drooping  in  spirit,  through  the  continued  tender  mercies  of 
our  God.  We  attended  their  first  day  meeting  on  the  21st, 
also  their  Monthly  Meeting  on  second  day,  wherein  I  felt  much 
for  them,  and  was  enabled,  in  a  feeling,  tender  manner,  fully 
to  relieve  my  mind,  in  my  last  legacy  and  farewell  address  to 
them — an  humbling,  tender  time  to  me,  not  easy  to  be  forgot- 
ten. 

Having  procured  a  good  horse,  we  set  forward  for  Lost  Creek ; 
reached  there  fifth  day.      Sixth  day  had  a  small  meeting  at 


276  JOURNAL   OF 

Orassy  Valley.  Seventh  day,  being  their  Monthly  Meeting  at 
Lost  Creek,  we  attended  it,  also  their  first  day  meeting,  the 
28th.  Both  these  meetings  were  favored  with  the  owning 
presence  of  Israel's  Shepherd.  Second  day,  we  set  forward  for 
Newbury,  arriving  there  on  third  day.  On  fourth  day,  the  1st 
of  12th  month,  we  attended  their  Preparative  Meeting,  and  their 
Monthly  Meeting  coming  on  seventh  day,  we  staid  to  it,  and  I 
was  glad  I  did,  finding  the  Lord  was  with  His  people  every- 
where— however  scattered  abroad  and  small  the  remnants  are — 
when  gathered  in  His  name.  His  presence  is  felt  in  the  midst. 
We  staid  to  their  first  day  meeting  also,  where  I  was  enabled, 
through  Holy  help,  so  to  relieve  my  mind,  that  I  felt  clear,  and 
entirely  easy  to  take  my  leave  of  friends  in  Tennessee.  After 
meeting,  we  rode  back  to  the  Ferry,  where  we  had  a  satisfac- 
tory meeting.  Next  day,  we  went  to  Knoxville,  and  had  a 
meeting  there  at  evening ;  this  was  a  dark,  hard  place.  A  suf- 
fering time  we  had,  under  a  sense  that  oppression  reigned,  and 
the  pure  Gospel  principles  were  trodden  under  foot,  while  they 
make  great  pretentions  thereto.  Through  it  all,  my  great  and 
good  Master,  whose  arm  is  strong,  so  strengthened  and  enabled 
me  to  bear  a  faithful  testimony,  to  the  great,  good,  and  right- 
eous cause  of  justice,  mercy,  and  truth,  that  I  felt  my  mind  well 
relieved  ;  and  some  of  them  acknowledged  to  the  truth  of  the 
testimony. 

On  third  day,  the  7th  of  the  month,  we  parted  affectionately 
with  the  Friends  who  accompanied  us  here,  and  went  forward 
for  Blue  River,  Indiana.  It  being  winter,  and  often  rainy,  the 
roads  were  muddy,  and  much  of  the  way,  the  mire  very  deep, 
so  that  it  took  us  eleven  days,  to  get  to  Friends,  a  distance  of 
two  hundred  and  eighty-one  miles.  Nearly  all  of  this  solitary 
travel  was  in  Kentucky,  where,  to  hear  of  their  cruel  acts  to 
the  slaves,  and  see  what  we  did,  was  shocking  to  all  human 
and  christian  feelings ;  and  it  made  me  think  of  the  soul  of 
just  Lot,  that  was  vexed  from  day  to  day,  with  the  filthy  cofix- 
versation,  and  the  corrupt  conduct  of  the  people  of  Sodom.  It 
was  a  heavy-hearted  travel  to  me.     We  got  among  Friends 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  2*11 

at  Blue  River  on  seventh  day,  the  18th,  and  providentially  fell 
in  at  James  White's,  where  we  were  tenderly  taken  care  of,  and 
treated  with  parental  affection,  being  almost  worn  out.  May 
the  Lord  bless  them  for  it  I 

First  day,  the  19th,  we  attended  Blue  River  meeting,  where 
I  had  to  pass  through  some  painful  sensations,  but  had  no 
opening  in  the  Ministry.  Not  having  recovered  from  our  fa- 
tigue, we  rested  on  second  day,  and  on  third  day,  we  had  a 
full,  satisfactory  meeting,  at  Salem  Town.  Fourth  day,  the 
2 2d,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Poplar  Grove.  Fifth  day,  were  at 
Blue  River  again,  where  I  was  enabled,  so  to  labor  in  the  author- 
ity of  Truth,  as  to  get  some  relief.  Sixth  day,  we  went  to 
Driftwood.  Seventh  day,  we  lay  by  for  notice  to  be  given. 
First  day,  the  26th,  we  attended  that  meeting,  and  drove  to 
Sandy.  Had  a  meeting  there  on  second  day,  and  returned  to 
Driftwood.  Third  day,  we  returned  to  Matthew  Coffin's,  at 
Blue  River  settlement.  Being  unwell,  we  lay  by  until  sixth 
day,  the  31st,  when  we  attended  a  meeting  at  Mount  Pleasant, 
and  returned  to  Matthew  Coffin's,  and  attended  Blue  River 
Monthly  Meeting,  on  seventh  day,  the  1st  of  1st  month,  1825. 
Here,  the  Lord,  in  His  abundant  mercy,  gave  strength,  confi- 
dence, and  utterance,  to  relieve  my  mind  of  a  grievous  burden 
that  had  lain  on  me,  ever  since  I  came  into  the  vicinity  of  Blue 
River  Quarter,  on  account  of  unsoundness  in  the  faith,  and  that 
amongst  the  leaders  of  the  people — which  had  spread  much  in 
that  Quarter.  I  had  to  labor  in  much  plainness  with  them, 
both  in  public  and  private.  At  this  meeting  we  had  the  com- 
piany  of  Stephen  Grellett.  On  first  day,  the  2d,  we  attended 
meeting  at  the  same  place,  where  I  was  enabled  so  fully  to  re- 
lieve my  mind,  and  clear  my  skirts  of  them  all,  that  I  left  that 
part  of  the  country,  receiving  a  plentiful  harvest,  and  a  full  bo- 
som of  well  loaded  sheaves. 

Second  daf,  we  went  to  Lick  Creek,  and  had  a  meeting  there 
the  next  day,  where  Satan  had  been  at  work,  and  had  made 
sad  division  amongst  the  brethren,  on  account  of  the  appoint- 
ment of  an  Elder.    The  meeting  had  proposed  one,  but  there 


278  JOURNAL    OF 

was  another  member  wlio  wanted  the  appointment,  and  thought 
himself  much  better  quahfied  for  the  office,  than  the  one  named. 
He  had  got  a  party,  and  so  resolutely  opposed  the  appoint- 
ment, that  it  stopped  in  the  Monthly  Meeting.  I  commended 
the  meeting  for  not  bringing  forward  the  one  who  wanted  the 
place,  for  I  never  knew  one  of  that  disposition,  who  was  put 
into  that  office,  but  who  proved  a  self-confident,  overbearing, 
burdensome  member  to  the  living  in  the  Truth,  and  a  very 
dead  weight  in  a  select  capacity.  Truly,  there  is  great  need 
in  these  days,  for  meetings  to  be  careful  whom  they  put  into 
the  office  of  Elder,  and  to  ascertain  clearly  that  they  are  sound 
in  the  faith,  and  well  baptized  for  the  office  ;  for  such  will  feel 
the  responsibility  that  devolves  on  them,  and  their  accounta- 
bility to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church.  Such  ones  are  not 
looking  for  promotion,  or  the  praise  of  men ;  but  are  favored 
to  see  the  awful  state  of  those  who  become  drunk  with  self-con- 
fidence, and  beat  their  fellow-servants  and  hand-maidens.  They 
will  not  dare  to  lift  up  the  hand  in  judgment,  without  a  re- 
newed anointing  from  the  Lord,  and  a  clear  command  from  the 
Most  High,  any  more  than  a  Minister  who  keeps  his  place  will 
dare  to-day  to  rise  on  his  feet,  to  deliver  a  testimony,  because 
he  was  favored  yesterday.  The  want  of  this  care  in  Elders,  I 
have  sorrowfully  seen  in  the  light  of  the  Lord,  has  done  much 
hurt  in  many  places. 

On  fourth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  East  Grove.  Fifth  day, 
at  the  Branch ;  in  both  these  meetings  Holy  help  was  afforded, 
sufficient  for  the  day.  After  this  last  meeting,  I  felt  easy  to 
leave  them  to  the  Lord,  and  truly  glad  of  the  release.  Sixth 
day,  we  went  to  White  River,  and  had  a  meeting  with  a  few 
Friends  there,  on  seventh  day,  after  which,  we  drove  twelve 
miles,  in  a  new  part  of  the  country,  a  very  tedious  road,  and 
fatiguing  to  the  poor  horses.  We  got  amongst  Friends  at  In- 
dian Creek,  seasonably  to  attend  their  little  meeting  on  first 
day,  the  9th.  Second  day,  we  rode  twenty  miles,  made  a  short 
stop,  and  went  to  Ephraim  Owen's,  where  we  had  a  comforta- 
ble meeting  on  third  day.     Fourth  day,  we  drove  to  Jonathan 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  279 

O'Ncirs.  Fifth  day,  started  for  Palmyra,  in  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois, to  find  a  sister  of  my  wife.  We  traveled  thirty  miles  that 
day,  and  lodged  in  Washington,  Indiana.  Sixth  day,  we  drove 
thirty  miles.  Seventh  day,  we  crossed  the  Wabash  at  Ram- 
sey's Ferry,  where  we  heard  from  my  brother-in-law,  who  was 
gone  from  there. 

Here,  I  think  it  right  to  give  some  account  of  my  brother- 
in-law.  He  was  a  man  of  middling  capacity.  He  and  his  wife 
came  amongst  Friends  by  convincement.  They  acquired  a 
handsome  property  by  their  labor  and  prudence.  When  the 
second  war  took  place  between  England  and  America,  he  lived 
in  a  part  of  the  country,  where  the  authority  was  pretty  severe 
with  Friends ;  they  repeated  their  demands,  and  took  away 
his  property,  which  made  him  very  impatient.  He  turned  out, 
and  went  with  the  militia  to  save  his  property,  and  not  being 
willing  to  condemn  this  conduct.  Friends  disowned  him ;  at 
which  he  to»k  such  offense,  and  with  the  Government,  that  he 
was  determined  to  leave  the  country.  He  sold  to  disadvantage, 
and  fled  to  another  part  of  the  country,  where  he  found  it  no 
better;  so  continued  moving  from  place  to  place — until  his 
property  was  gone.  He  and  his  family  became  very  poor. 
Then  he  took  to  hard  drinking,  and  had  gone  from  the  place, 
(where  he  and  family  had  been  some  time),  down  the  river  four 
hundred  miles,  on  to  a  slave  holder's  farm,  and  had  taken  the 
business  of  slave  driver.  As  this  came  to  my  knowledge,  so 
correct  that  I  could  not  doubt  it,  it  so  bore  me  down  that  I 
had  as  much  as  I  could  do  to  support  the  man,  in  that  quiet 
composure  that  became  the  dignity  of  a  christian ;  for  I  could 
not  refrain  from  musing  on  the  subject,  for  several  hours ;  and 
to  reflect  that  a  man  once  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  Truth,  and 
knew  what  right  was,  for  the  sake  of  saving  a  little  property, 
and  to  shun  bearing  the  cross  for  Truth  and  righteousness'  sake, 
would  give  way  to  make  shipwreck  of  faith  that  he  had  once 
embraced,  and  a  good  conscience  that  he  had  once  enjoyed, 
and  had  brought  on  himself  and  family,  such  woeful  destruction, 
in  every  sense  of  the  word.    The  thoughts  of  it  awakened  such 


280  JOURNAL    OF 

feelings  in  my  mind,  that  I  do  crave  that  this  event  may  be  a 
warning  to  my  oftspring  to  the  latest  generation,  when  they  are 
brought  to  the  trial,  that  interest  or  good  principle  must  be 
sacrificed,  let  the  interest  go,  and  never  wound  a  good  con- 
science, for  that  which  cannot  stay  by  nor  befriend  in  the  need- 
ful time,  when  the  blast  of  the  Almighty  is  blown  upon  it. 
And  be  sure  not  to  do  wrong  in  acquiring  it,  that  you  may 
enjoy  in  peace  what  the  Lord  gives.  And  if  you  should  leave  a 
little  after  you,  honestly  gotten,  it  will  be  a  blessing  in  the 
hands  of  your  children.  After  wading  as  above  described,  un- 
der the  pressure  of  this  severe  trial  several  hours,  my  great  and 
good  Master  was  pleased  to  give  a  hand  of  help  in  the  needful 
time,  and  strengthened  me  to  give  it  all  up,  so  that  I  became 
calm,  and  then  saw  my  way  clear  to  pursue  my  religious  con- 
cern. We  turned  up  the  river,  on  the  Illinois  side,  twenty-five 
miles,  to  Lawrenceville.  First  day,  the  16th,  we  drove  to 
Thomas  Lindley's,  on  Union  Prairie,  forty  miles.  Second  day, 
we  had  a  meeting  with  Friends  and  others  of  that  place,  which 
seemed  to  rejoice  the  few  Friends  thereabouts.  Third  day,  we 
crossed  the  river  to  Indiana,  and  went  to  Tarman's  Creek,  and 
had  a  meeting  there  on  fourth  day.  After  meeting  we  drove 
to  Henry's  Creek,  and  had  a  comfortable  meeting  there  on  fifth 
day. 

At  this  place  there  seemed  to  be  some  life  and  concern 
among  Friends,  and  we  felt  a  comfortable  hope,  they  would 
dwell  therein.  Sixth  day,  we  drove  to  Spring  Creek,  and  had 
a  meeting  there  on  seventh  day.  First  day,  the  23d,  we  crossed 
the  river  to  Illinois  side,  and  went  to  Vermillion,  and  on  sec- 
ond day  we  had  a  meeting  in  this  place — a  comfortable  time — 
then  rode  eight  miles,  and  had  a  meeting  in  the  evening  to 
good  satisfaction,  and  staid  the  night  with  Henry  Canady. 
Third  day,  we  journeyed  for  Leatherwood  Creek,  arriving  there 
about  dark.  Here,  we  obtained  a  pretty  full  meeting  the  next 
day ;  for,  notwithstanding  our  late  getting  in,  Friends  seemed 
lively  and  spirited,  in  giving  notice  to'  each  other,  and  their 
neighbors ;  also,  in  coming  to  meeting,  which  much  revived  my 


JOSEPH   ttOAG.  281 

drooping  mind.  Wc  had  met  with  so  much  indifference  in 
many  places  about  giving  notice  of  our  appointments,  it  made 
heavy  getting  along.  The  bountiful  Shepherd  of  Israel,  was 
pleased  to  bless  this  meeting  with  His  holy  presence,  which 
was  felt  in  the  midst ;  it  was  a  solemn,  good  time  to  many 
minds.  May  it  be  remembered  with  thanksgiving  to  the  Great 
Giver,  by  all  who  were  there ! 

We  then  proceeded  to  Sugar  Creek,  arriving  there  on  sixth 
day.  Seventh  day,  we  had  a  meetil!^  with  the  few  Friends  of 
that  place,  who  were  much  tired  with  a  person,  who  had  been 
disowned  and  had  frequently  come  into  their  meetings,  and 
took  up  much  time  in  preaching,  to  the  burdening  of  Friends ; 
and  what  made  it  more  grievous,  he  preached  what  Were  not 
Friends'  principles,  and  when  spoken  with,  he  justified  himself, 
saying,  tnat  if  he  could  not  preach  among  them  agreeable  to 
his  own  conscience,  he  would  not  meet  with  them.  After 
weighing  the  subject,  I  believed  it  right  to  tell  Friends,  that  I 
thought  it  would  be  best  for  them  to  let  him  know  they  could 
not  receive  his  testimony,  and  why ;  for  if  you  suffer  him  to 
continue  on,  and  he  preaches  as  you  have  stated,  it  will  do 
more  hurt  in  this  new  country,  by  your  giving  him  countenance 
— where  Friends  and  their  principles  are  but  little  known — 
than  all  he  can  do,  should  he  make  a  noise  abroad ;  for  you 
can  then  inform  the  people  why  you  rejected  him.  Thus,  you 
will  be  bearing  a  testimony  for  the  Truth,  in  which  you  will 
be  justified. 

First  day,  the  30th,  we  had  a  large,  favored  meeting  in  Craw- 
fordsville.  Second  day,  we  moved  on  for  White  Lick,  and  ar- 
rived there  third  day  evening,  and  fourth  day  we  attended  that 
meeting.  Fifth  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Fairfield.  Sixth 
day,  we  went  to  Indianapolis,  and  lay  by  on  seventh  day.  I 
felt  my  mind  seriously  drawn  to  have  a  meeting  in  this  village, 
and  the  people  thought  that  as  it  was  Court  time,  if  I  could 
stay  with  them  over  first  day,  it  would  be  their  desire  generally 
to  be  at  the  meeting.  I  felt  easy  to  comply  therewith,  and  on 
first  day,  the  6th  of  2d  month,  we  had  a  large,  crowded  meet- 
18 


282  JOURNAL  OF 

ing  in  the  County  House.  Divine  Power  was  felt  to  arise  in 
dominion  in  an  eminent  degree.  The  word  went  forth  in  Gos- 
pel authority  ;  the  meeting  became  solemn,  and  ended,  I  think, 
under  a  sweet  and  heavenly  calm.  Blessed  be  the  Name  of  the 
Lord,  for  when  He  leadeth  into  the  deeps.  His  arm  is  under- 
neath and  upholdeth ;  when  He  raiseth  on  high,  it  still  sustain- 
eth  and  carrietb  through  in  safety,  to  the  promotion  of  His 
own  righteous  cause,  and  the  glory  of  His  holy  Name,  to  whom 
all  honor,  worship,  and  high  praises  are  due,  forevermore ! 

Second  day,  we  set  forward  for  little  Blue  River,  and  reached 
there  on  third  day.  Fourth  day,  we  had  a  small  meeting  with 
a  few  Fjiends,  and  some  of  their  neighbors  at  Duck  Creek. 
Fifth  day,  we  bad  another  small  meeting  with  Friends  and  oth- 
ers, at  Flat  Kock.  Sixth  day,  had  another  at  Siraon^s  Creek, 
and  though  the  prospect  was  not  very  promising  thereabout, 
we  were  well  satisfied  in  being  with  our  Friends ;  having  re- 
newed cause  to  believe  that  the  Lord  is  mindful  of  His  people 
everywhere,  and  rich  in  kindness  to  impart  such  meat  and  help 
as  they  stand  in  need  of.     Blessed  be  His  holy  name  I 

We  drove  to  Milford,  and  lay  by  on  seventh  day,  and  on  first 
day,  the  13th,  we  attended  that  meeting;  then  drove  to  West 
Union,  and  on  second  day,  had  a  meeting  in  that  place.     On 
third  day,  we  were  at  meeting  at  West  Grove.     16th,  at  Fair- 
field.    17th,  at  Springfield.     18th,  at  West  River.     19th,  at 
Dunkirk.     20th,  first  day,  at  White  River.     21st,  at  Jericho. 
22d,  at  Norwich.     23d,  at  Arba.     24th,  at  Lynn.     25th,  at 
Cherry  Grove.     26th,  at  Centre.     First  day,  2'7th,  at  New  Gar- 
den,    28th,  at  Dover.     We  also  visited  Chester,  Woodbury, 
and  Smyrna,  before  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  at  Richmond  came 
on.     It  may  appear  strange  that  after  visiting  such  a  chain  of 
meetings,  there  was  no  particular  observation  made  ;  but  they 
being  divided  into  two  parties,  in  one  quarter  and  part  of  anoth- 
er, and  great  disunity  having  spread  amongst  them,  it  occa- 
sioned much  repetition  in  my  public  labors,  which  caused  me 
many  hours  of  deep  searching  of  heart,  so  that  I  called  all  in 
qijiestion ;  but,  relying  on  the  arm  of  the  Lord,  I  was  strength- 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  283 

ened  and  enabled  from  time  to  time,  in  a  plain,  solemn,  search- 
ing manner  to  labor  so  as  to  feel  my  mind  relieved,  and  clear 
of  all  their  blood.  In  passing  through  this  part  of  the  country, 
Friends  let  me  entirely  alone,  until  I.  had  finished  my  visit  with 
them,  which  was  perfectly  right.  They  then  told  me  how  it 
was  with  them,  which  was  an  additional  relief  to  my  mind,  in 
finding  I  had  not  been  deceived  in  my  feelings,  nor  misled  in 
my  labors,  and  I  can  gratefully  acknowledge  that  hitherto  the 
Lord  hath  helped  me.  Forever  adored  be  His  goodness,  and 
eternally  blessed  be  His  holy  name  I 

We  attended  the  several  sittings  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  in 
which  my  lot  was  deep,  painful  exercise,  finding  the  love  of 
many  had  waxed  cold,  towards  each  other.  Great  want  of  true 
and  living  zeal,  for  the  righteous  cause  of  truth,  and  great  cause 
of  humiliation  and  mourning,  to  the  rightly  concerned  among 
them,  to  whom  a  portion  of  cordial  encouragement  was  impart- 
ed, as  also  plain  truths  to  the  other  class.  T  felt  well  relieved 
at  the  close  of  the  meeting  on  first  day.  Third  day,  the  8th 
of  3d  month,  was  at  the  Ridge  meeting ;  thence  at  Silver  Creek, 
Poplar  Ridge,  Salem,  and  at  Newhope,  on  first  day,  the  13th. 
After  which,  being  much  fatigued,  and  having  a  heavy  cold  in 
my  head,  Hay  by  on  second  day,  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Maxwell, 
where  I  was  kindly  nursed.  Third  day,  we  moved  on  to  West- 
field,  attended  that  meeting  on  fourth  day,  and  went  to  Elk, 
and  fifth  day  attended  that  meeting.  The  Quarterly  Meeting 
coming  on  at  this  place,  we  met  with  Friends  in  the  several  sit- 
tings of  it. 

At  this  Quarter  and  in  its  vicinity,  my  mind  was  solemnly 
impressed  with  a  sense  that  false  principles  and  spurious  preach- 
ing were  creeping  in  amongst  Friends,  and  I  had  to  give  the 
alarm  amongst  them,  and  felt  great  peace  in  being  faithful  to 
my  holy  Lord  and  good  Master.  From  this  place  we  went  to 
Rocky  Spring,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on  third  day.  Fourth 
day,  went  to  Union,  and  met  with  Friends  of  that  place  on  fifth 
day.  Thence  to  Concord,  when  we  met  with  a  small  number 
of  Friends  to  good  satisfaction.     Then  took  Mill  Creek  before 


284  JOURNAL   OF 

their  Monthly  Meeting  came  on,  at  which  we  were  on  seventh 
day,  and  staid  their  first  day  meeting,  the  27th,  which  proved 
a  reUeving  time  to  my  mind.  Thence  to  Randolph,  and  had  a 
meeting  there  on  second  day.  Third  day,  went  to  Sugar 
Creek,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on  fourth  day ;  then  drove  to 
Springborough,  and  had  a  meeting  with  Friends  of  that  place, 
the  1st  of  4th  month,  and  drove  to  Henry  Paddock's,  at  head- 
ing. Seventh  day,  we  went  to  Cincinnati,  and  on  first  day,  the 
3d,  we  attended  that  meeting,  in  which  my  mind  was^led  into 
a  deep  concern,  under  a  sense  of  the  great  want  of  faithfulness 
in  many  high  professors,  in  not  walking  answerable  to  what 
they  professed,  and  knew  was  right.  Such  are  stumbling  blocks 
to  the  honest  seeker,  a  reproach  to  the  Truth,  and  a  sore  grief 
to  the  upright  hearted.  Yet,  through  the  tender  mercy  of  Is- 
rael's unslumbering  Shepherd,  strength  and  utterance  were  giv- 
en to  relieve  my  mind  to  good  satisfaction.  After  meeting,  we 
returned  to  Benjamin  Paddock's.  We  had  a  pretty  full  meet- 
ing in  Reading  village,  on  second  day.  Here,  the  Truth  had 
the  dominion ;  its  doctrines  went  forth  in  Gospel  authority, 
greatly  to  the  relief  of  my  much  tribulatcd  mind,  and  I  hope 
to  the  honor  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  who  is  truly 
worthy  forevermorc,  of  the  praise  of  all  His  works  throughout 
His  vast  umpire ! 

After  meeting,  we  rode  to  Benjamin  Butterworth's,  and  had 
a  meeting  in  that  neighborhood,  on  third  day.  Then  passed 
on  to  Hopewell,  where,  on  fourth  day,  we  had  a  meeting ;  then 
to  Turtle  Creek,  and  met  with  the  people  of  that  place  on  fifth 
day,  and  went  forward  to  Waynesville,  where  we  had  a  meeting 
on  seventh  day.  On  first  day,  we  attended  Dayton  meeting. 
In  these  parts,  it  was  as  in  many  other  places,  such  a  likeness 
in  the  states  of  meetings,  it  seemed  too  much  repetition  to  de- 
scend into  particulars.  Yet,  we  had  this  comfort,  from  impres- 
sions felt,  that  there  were  well  concerned  minds  in  nearly  every 
meeting,  to  whom  the  Lord  had  special  regard,  and  for  whose 
sakes  He  continues  His  favors  to  the  Church ;  and  in  answer 
to  their  prayers,  often  renews  His  visitations  to  those  who  are 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  285 

settled  down  at  ease  in  a  profession  of  the  Truth,  as  on  their 
beds  of  ivory,  in  the  outward  form,  which  will  do  no  more  for 
them,  than  ceremonies  do  for  other  Societies.  It  finds  them 
under  the  dominion  of  sin,  and  leaves  them  under  condemna- 
tion in  the  end ;  for  there  is  nothing  of  man's  wisdom,  doings, 
or  contrivance,  that  can  ensure  peace  in  the  end  ;  nothing  short 
of  a  full  belief  in  the  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus, 
our  Lord  and  Advocate  with  the  Father,  and  a  full  and  faithful 
obedience  to  all  its  manifestatians,  that  can  set  us  free  from  the 
law  of  sin  and  death,  and  enable  us  to  rise  superior  to  all  the 
enchantments  of  a  glittering  world,  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  and 
the  temptations  of  the  devil,  and  enable  us  to  experience  a  go- 
ing on,  conquering  and  to  conquer  principalities  and  powers, 
and  casting  down  all  vain  imaginations  of  the  human  heart. 

The  same  day,  we  had  a  large,  favored  meeting  at  Dayton 
village,  in  the  meeting  house  belonging  to  the  Methodists,  who 
seemed  very  free  to  accommodate  us.  We  parted  with  them 
in  much  good  will.  May  the  righteous  Lord  bless  that  favored 
season  to  the  people !  Third  day,  the  12th,  we  had  a  meeting 
with  Friends  and  others  at  Plumb  Grrove.  We  then  went  to 
Greenplain,  and  made  our  home  with  Samuel  Sleeper,  an  old 
acquaintance.  Fourth  day,  attended  that  meeting.  Notice 
having  been  given,  the  meeting  was  large,  and  owned  by  the 
presence  of  Divine  powder,  which  was  sensibly  felt,  to  the  ten- 
dering of  many  minds,  and  I  hope  the  contriting  of  some.  Oh  ! 
how  much  we  have  to  humble  our  minds,  under  a  sense  of  the 
continuation  of  Divine  favor,  far  beyond  our  worthiness ! 

Fifth  day,  we  drove  to  King's  Creek,  and  on  sixth  day  had  a 
meeting  with  the  inhabitants  of  that  place.  Then  went  to 
Goshen,  and  were  at  that  Monthly  Meeting  on  seventh  day. 
First  day,  the  lYth,  we  were  at  the  same  place,  which  gave  op- 
portunity for  me  fully  to  relieve  my  mind,  where  there  truly 
was  need  of  well  authorized  labor.  From  here,  we  went  to 
Upland,  where  we  had  a  small  meeting  on  second  day.  Third 
day,  we  were  with  Friends  and  others  at  a  meeting  at  West- 
land.     Fourth  day,  had  a  meeting  at  Darby.     Fifth  day,  re- 


286  JOURNAL   OF 

turned  to  Samuel  Sleeper's,  at  Greenplain.  Sixth  day,  had  a 
meeting  at  James  Orin's,  who  lived  in  a  little  village,  a  little  out 
from  Friends,  which  appeared  to  be  a  satisfactory  opportunity, 
both  to  Friends  and  others.  Afterwards,  we  drove  to  Seneca, 
where  we  had  a  meeting  on  seventh  day ;  then  went  to  New 
Hope,  and  met  with  Friends  on  first  day,  the  24th.  Then 
passed  on  to  Grassy  Run,  where  we  had  a  meeting  on  second 
day.  We  then  drove  to  Dover  and  had  a  meeting  there  on 
fourth  day,  and  proceeded  on  to  Clear  Creek,  Fall  Creek,  Fair- 
field, and  Walnut  Creek,  where  we  lodged  with  Jacob  Todhun- 
ter.  Thence,  to  Dry  Run  and  Fairfield.  We  generally  had 
full  meetings  in  the  above  named  place.  The  Gospel  spring 
ran  lively  and  free,  and  I  told  my  Friends  that  it  seemed  to  me 
a  clearing  out,  solemn,  parting  time,  and  it  appeared  to  be  so 
with  many  of  them. 

We  lay  by  on  fifth  day,  I  being  sick.  On  the  6th  of  5th 
month,  we  attended  the  Select  Quarterly  Meeting,  at  Fairfield, 
and  next  day,  the  meeting  for  worship  and  discipline,  and  also 
the  first  day  meeting  on  the  8th,  and  after  it  drovfe  to  East 
Fork.  On  second  day,  had  a  meeting  there,  then  took  Green- 
bury,  Newbury,  and  Wilmington,  having  meetings  in  each  of 
these  places,  much  to  the  relief  of  my  mind.  Thence,  to  Mi- 
ami Quarterly  Meeting,  held  on  sixth  and  seventh  days,  which 
was  large,  and  much  favored  in  its  several  sittings.  Truth 
arose  in  dominion  over  all  opposition,  and  reigned  to  the  praise 
of  the  holy  Shepherd  of  Israel.  First  day,  the  15th,  we  attend- 
ed meeting  at  the  same  place,  to  good  satisfaction.  Then  went 
to  Grove,  Springfield,  Little  Creek,  Chester,  Cyrus  Creek,  and 
Richland.  We  haft  meetings  in  all  the  above  named  places, 
and  then  went  to  Greenplain,  and  had  a  meeting  at  a  place 
called  Charleston,  at  four  in  the  afternoon.  Third  day,  we 
drove  to  Springfield,  where  we  fell  in  with  Elizabeth  Robson,  a 
Minister  from  England,  who  had  appointed  a  meeting  in  that 
place.  We  attended  with  her,  and  were  truly  edified  with  her 
lively  Gospel  testimony.  I  was  brought  into  near  sympathy, 
and  sweet  unity  with  her.     After  meeting,  we  parted  with  our 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  287 

friends,  and  put  forward  for  Urbanna,  where,  on  fourth  day,  we 
had  a  meeting  in  that  village  to  good  satisfaction.  From  this, 
we  journeyed  till  we  got  to  Columbia,  and  on  sixth  day,  we 
had  a  meeting  there.'  The  people  appeared  well  satisfied,  and 
I  felt  my  mind  well  relieved.  Seventh  day,  we  drove  to  Dela- 
ware, and  lodged  with  Joseph  Howard.     First  day,  the  30th, 

we  drove  to  Horton  Howard's  in  C ,  Weston,  and  on 

second  day,  we  had  a  meeting  with  the  Friends  of  that  place. 
Then  proceeded  to  Alum  Creek,  and  put  up  with  Aaron  Bene- 
dict Fourth  day,  the  1st  of  6th  month,  we  had  a  large  meet- 
ing there,  much  favored,  and  truly  relieving  to  my  pained  mind. 
Fifth  day,  we  attended  their  Monthly  Meeting,  and  then  con- 
tinued our  journey  till  we  got  to  Lewis  Taber's,  where  we 
stopped  and  had  a  meeting.  Thence  to  Joseph  Washbourne's, 
where  was  a  small  settlement  of  Friends,  and  had  a  meeting 
with  them.  There  appeared  a  want  of  a  lively,  fervent  zeal 
amongst  them,  and  the  spirit  of  the  world  creeping  in ;  so  that 
the  prospect  of  Truth's  Nourishing  in  that  place  is  rather  dull 
Thence,  to  Benjamin  White's,  and  had  a  meeting,  and  proceed- 
ed to  Owl  Creek,  and  attended  that  little  meeting  on  first  day, 
the  12th.  From  this  place,  we  went  to  Zanesville,  and  had  a 
meeting  in  the  town  on  fourth  day.  On  seventh  day,  we  went 
to  Meig's  Creek  settlement,  and  met  with  Friends  at  Blue 
Kock  meeting,  on  first  day,  the  19th. 

We  then  turned  our  course  homewards,  and  took  the  follow- 
ing meetings.  First  day,  attended  Plainfield  Monthly  Meeting, 
and  Flushing  Monthly  Meeting  on  seventh  day.  First  day,  the 
26th,  we  attended  Short  Creek  meeting.  Here  I  was  enabled 
to  clear  my  mind  of  a  burden  I  had  long  carried ;  for  when  I 
was  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  and  thereabouts,  I  was  much  embar- 
rassed with  the  unsound  preaching  of  a  Minister  from  my  own 
Yearly  Meeting,  (which  preaching  caused  a  considerable  stir 
amongst  Friends),  so  that  I  passed  from  those  parts,  not  get- 
ting the  relief  I  wanted.  But  now,  on  my  return  this  way, 
finding  my  way  clear,  and  that  my  Master  had  renewed  his 
bow  in  ray  hand,  with  additional  strength,  I  stopped  and  visit- 


288  JOURNAL  OF 

ed  several  meetings  hereabouts,  viz:  Mount  Pleasant  in  the 
afternoon,  on  first  day.  Second  day,  at  Harrisville.  Fourth 
day,  Carrolton,  Fifth  day,  we  returned  to  West  Grove,  and 
had  a  meeting  there  the  1st  of  the  Yth  month.  Then  went  to 
Smithfield,  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day,  the  3d.  In  all 
these  meetings,  the  Gospel  current  flowed  fbee  and  clear ;  I  felt 
my  mind  fiilly  relieved,  and  filled  with  heavenly  peace,  and 
enabled  to  return  thanks  and  praise  to  the  Lord,  my  Redeemer, 
who  had  led  me  about,  sustained  and  carried  me  through  the 
heights  and  depths,  when  no  other  arm  could  have  supported 
me.     Blessed,  forever,  be  His  holy  name  ! 

From  this  place  we  put  forward  for  New  Lisbon.  On  fourth 
day,  we  attended  that  meeting,  and  went  to  New  Garden.  Fifth 
day,  we  attended  that  meeting.  Sixth  day,  had  a  meeting  at 
the  Grove.  My  labors  in  these  last  three  meetings  were  plain 
and  laborious,  there  being  much  want  of  Gospel  love  amongst 
the  professed  brethren,  and  false  j^rinciples  creeping  into  many 
families.  Yet,  my  good  Master,  through  it  all,  gave  strength 
and  utterance  so  to  labor  as  to  feel  well  relieved,  and  clear  of 
all  their  blood,  whether  they  hear  or  forbear.  First  day,  the 
10th,  we  attended  Salem  meeting,  which  was  large  and  a  re- 
freshing time  to  me.  Second  day,  we  set  forward  for  Conneaut. 
Third  day,  we  reached  the  settlement.  Fourth  day,  had  a 
meeting  with  the  few  Friends  there.  Fifth  day,  14th,  we  set 
forward  for  home,  where  we  arrived  on  seventh  day,  the  30th 
of  the  month,  having  attended  two  meetings  on  the  way.  In 
this  journey  we  traveled  seven  thousand  six  hundred  miles,  in  a 
few  days  short  of  twenty  months.  I  found  my  family  well,  to 
my  great  comfort. 

Here  ends  the  account  of  my  religious  travels,  to  the  sixty- 
fourth  year  of  my  age,  which  I  want  should  be  kept  by  my  chil- 
dren, for  their  warning,  instruction,  and  encouragement ;  and 
may  the  Lord  bless  its  contents  to  them,  for  good. 


iJai- 


CHAPTER  X. 
The  first  time  I  attended  our  Yearly  Meeting,  after  ray  re- 
turn from  my  western  journey,  (from  which  I  had  been  absent 
for  several  years,  owing  to  my  being  in  other  parts  of  the  coun- 
try on  religious  service),  I  found  the  minds  of  Friends  like  the 
troubled  waters,  as  two  of  our  Quarterly  Meetings  brought  up 
proposals  in  strong  terms,  to  make  an  alteration  in  the  disci- 
pline in  the  appointment  of  Elders ;  to  drop  the  practice  «)f  ap- 
pointing them  as  always  had  been  the  practice  ever  since 
Friends  had  been  a  people,  and  to  appoint  them  only  for  four 
years.  This  aroused  Friends,  and  led  to  the  enquiry  as  to  what 
was  the  cause  of  this.  It  was  soon  discovered  to  be  Elias 
Hick's  followers,  pretty  generally,  who  had  already  made  a 
heavy  attack  on  several  of  our  sound,  faithful  Ministers  and  El- 
ders, in  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting.  They  had  disowned 
several  for  opposing  Elias  Hick's  false  doctrine,  and  infidel 
principles,  but  they  were  all  restored  by  appeal.  This  aroused 
the  Hicksites  in  that  Yearly  Meeting,  and  the  same  plan  was 
urged  in  our  own  Yearly  Meeting.  Several  of  the  first  mem- 
bers of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  living  on  Long  Island,  were  under 
dealing,  and  the  charge  of  a  committee,  for  opposing  Elias 
Hick's  false  and  pernicious  doctrines,  which  conduct  much 
aroused  the  sound  part  of  Society.  *  Yet,  the  Hicksites  crowded 
their  plan  so  hard,  that  they  got  a  large  committee  appointed 
to  consider  the  subject.  "When  the  committee  sat  on  the  sub- 
ject, there  was  so  much  weight  in  favor  of  the  sound  part  of 
Society,  that  the  Hicksites  could  not  fnake  headway ;  so  the 
committee  concluded  to  report,  that  they  could  not  agree  to 
propose  any  alteration  in  the  discipline  on  the  subject.     This 


290  JOURNAL    OF 

made  a  stir  in  the  meeting  for  sometime,  and  the  Hicksitea 
crowded  hard  to  keep  the  subject  in  the  meeting. 

At  length,  to  get  rid  of  it  for  that  time,  it  was  submitted  to, 
and  put  over  until  the  next  year.  This  move  so  fully  spread 
the  subject  in  every  part  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  that  when  the 
year  came  about,  Friends  seemed  settled,  and  prepared  to  meet 
it ;  but  when  it  came  before  the  meeting,  the  Hicksites  would 
not  give  up  without  the  appointment  of  a  committee.  When 
the  committee  came  to  go  on  to  the  ground,  the  Hick's  party 
found  themselves  weaker  than  they  were  the  year  before,  and 
were  induced  to  comply  with  a  similar  report.  When  it  was 
read  in  the  meeting,  the  Hicksite  party  showed  a  good 
deal  of  agitation ;  but  Friends  kept  much  in  the  calm,  keeping 
close  and  steady  to  the  point.  This  seemed  to  increase  the 
heat  with  E.  Hick's  party,  when  they  saw  they  were  not  going 
to  carry  the  business  as  they  intended ;  so  much  so,  that  the 
Friends  who  favored  the  committee's  report,  were  censured, 
and  reflected  on,  and  frequently  with  abusive  language.  Friends 
kept  steady,  and  deliberate,  but  at  length  the  heat  ran  so  high, 
that  when  a  Friend  sat  down  after  speaking,  though  he  spoke 
ever  so  calmly,  by  the  time  he  was  on  his  seat,  and  sometimes 
before,  several  of  Elias'  followers  would  be  up  at  a  time,  all 
speaking  at  once.  This,  I  think,  continued  an  hour — though 
Friends  several  times  called  for  order,  but  had  little  or  no  at- 
tention paid  to  them.  At  length,  Elias  Hicks  called  for  order, 
and  his  followers  quieted,  so  that  the  meeting  became  tolerably 
still.  Elias  then  stated,  "  We  cannot  give  the  matter  up  with- 
out seeing  if  the  meeting  could  not  decide  it,"  and  then  stated 
the  majority  was  the  weight  of  the  meeting,  and  that  every 
member  in  the  house  had  an  equal  right  to  his  sentiment,  call- 
ing pressingly  for  all  to  come  forward  and  give  their  sentiment, 
and  the  young  men  in  particular,  asserting  they  had  as  good 
right  to  give  their  sentiment  as  any.  When  he  sat  down,  they 
went  on  rapidly  uniting  with  the  proposed  alteration ;  some" 
times  several  up  at  once,  and  several  were  seen  to  rise  and 
unite  twice,  and  others  three  times.    After  awhile  they  came  to 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  9&l^ 

a  stop,  when  Elias  arose  quickly  and  proclaimed,  "  All  of  three 
fourths  majority ;  we  have  got  the  judgment  of  the  meeting." 
A  Friend  arose  quickly  and  observed,  "  The  other  side  has  not 
had  the  opportunity  of  giving  their  sentiment ;  and  the  subject 
will  not  be  given  up,  until  they  have  a  chance  to  speak  their 
minds ;  "  and  then  advised  to  proceed  orderly.  They  did  so, 
and  in  the  course  of  half  an  hour,  Elias  Hicks  had  the  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  a  large  majority,  come  forward  in  favor  of  the 
old  institution ;  yet  he  was  so  far  from  acting  up  to  his  own  de- 
clared sentiments  in  favor  of  majorities,  when  he  saw  how  it 
turned,  he  quickly  arose,  and  declared  that  the  meeting  was  so 
divided  that  it  could  not  decide  upon  it,  but  must  be  again  re- 
ferred another  year,  and  not  allowed  to  be  taken  from  the  min- 
utes. This  was  submitted  to,  but  through  the  remainder  of  the 
meeting,  business  dragged  heavily. 

Much  enquiry  continued  to  be  made  out  of  meeting,  as  to 
the  cause  of  all  this,  and  much  agitation  prevailed  amongst 
Friends  of  all  classes;  many  believing  there  was  something  the 
matter,  but  that  it  was  kept  out  of  sight ;  which,  at  that  time, 
was  the  case — as  E.  Hicks'  principles  were  not  then  generally 
known,  though  they  had  been  preached  up  in  a  blind  way  for 
many  years,  to  thfe  great  exercise  of  discerning  Friends.  Much 
tender  advice  had  been  bestowed  upon  him  from  time  to  time, 
to  save  him  from  running  out,  not  only  to  nothing,  but  much 
worse  than  nothing,  but  all  to  no  good  purpose.  All  this  time, 
he  was  in  the  plausible  appearance  of  great  love  and  concern 
for  the  cause  of  Truth,  and  the  welfare  of  the  Church ;  and  in 
this  way,  he  was  diffusing — in  private — his  deistical  sentiments ; 
and  by  letters,  he  spread  his  principles  far  and  wide,  before 
Friends  were  generally  aware  of  it. 

About  nine  years  before  the  division  took  place  in  our  So- 
ciety, in  consequence  of  the  doctrines  promulgated  by  Elias 
Hicks,  he  came  into  our  country  with  credentials  to  perform  a 
religious  visit.*     I  was  in  Ferrisburg  on  temporal  concerns,  and 

*NoTE. — It  appears  from  a  record  that  has  been  kept,  that  Elias  Hicks 
was  here  in  the  2d  month,  1819. 


292  JOURNAL    OF 

was  told  wliile  there,  that  Elias  Hicks  was  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, and  would  have  an  appointed  meeting  there  that  day, 
and  that  it  would  be  largely  attended,  for  everybody  that  could 
would  come. 

I  had  no  thought  of  attending  it  myself,  but  intended  to  re- 
turn home  as  soon  as  I  had  finished  my  business.  When  that 
was  accomplished,  it  pressed  upon  my  mind  with  such  weight, 
that  I  believed  it  right  to  stay  and  attend  the  meeting,  which 
I  did.  It  was  a  great  gathering  of  people.  Elias  rose  very 
early  in  the  meeting,  and  stated  that,  "In  the  beginning  God 
created  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  as  we  read  in  Scripture. 
He  also  made  man  in  his  own  likeness,  as  we  read  in  Scripture ; 
and  prepared  a  garden  in  Eden,  in  which  He  placed  the  man 
and  his  wife ;  and  also  the  tree  of  life,  and  the  tree  of  the 
knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  in  the  midst  of  the  garden,  as  we 
read  in  Scripture."  He  made  a  full  stop,  then  took  up  the 
tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil — a  distinct  subjects— and 
occupied  a  full  half  hour,  to  make  it  appear  that  there  was  no 
other  evil  in  space  ;  and  three  times  asserted  positively,  that  it 
was  not  possible  to  be  otherwise;  yet  he  brought  no  proof 
only  his  own  statement.  By  the  way,  to  polish  his  discourse, 
he  recommended  a  good  deal  of  moral  conduct.  He  then  took 
up  the  tree  of  life,  and  treated  upon  it  separately,  for  about  an- 
other half  hour,  and  three  times  stated  without  reserve,  that 
the  tree  of  life  was  God  Almighty  himself,  and  it  could  not 
possibly  be  otherwise ;  but  offered  no  proof  except  his  own  as- 
sertion ;  and  as  before,  dressed  it  with  the  beauty  and  happi- 
ness of  good  moral  conduct;  and  had  much  to  say  on  the  right 
and  liberty  of  choice. 

He  made  a  full  stop,  stood  a  little  while,  and  then  stated, 
"We  have  a  right  to  choose  good  or  evil,  just  as  we  please ; 
and  take  that  right  from  me,  and  I  would  not  value  my  being 
worth  having  !"  For  about  half  an  hour,  he  appeared  to  labor 
with  much  earnestness  to  substantiate  his  statements,  and  then 
stopped,  and  soon  closed  the  meeting. 

I  walked  into  the  yard  with  a  heavy  heart,  and  a  grieved 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  203 

mmd,  intending  to  get  my  horse  and  go  immediately  hotaej 
without  speaking  to  any  one ;  but  hearing  some  one  following 
me,  with  a  quick  step,  I  halted  a  little,  and  a  voice  said,  "Stop, 
I  want  to  get  thee  by  the  hand."  I  turned  round,  and  one  of 
our  head  elders  said,  "Joseph,  dost  thou  know  that  it  is  contra- 
ry to  discipline,  to  show  restlessness  during  the  preaching  of  a 
minister,  while  in  unity  with  the  body  ?"  I  said,  "Yes,  and  I 
have  good  unity  with  that  discipline."  "Well,  thou  showed 
it  to-day  three  times*"  I  said,  "Did  I  ?"  He  said,  "Yes,  and 
the  young  people  noticed  it."  "Didst  thou  see  it  ?"  "I  did." 
I  replied,  "Then  I  will  not  dispute  it."  He  said,  "Thou  hadst 
not  unity  with  him  to-day."  I  replied,  "I  had  not."  He  said, 
"What  is  the  matter  ?"  I  answered,  "He  preached  false  doc- 
trine, and  I  can  prove  it,  if  you  allow  the  Scriptures  for  a  test, 
and  thou  may  take  me  before  any  tribunal  thou  choosest." 
We  then  parted. 

I  returned  home,  and  told  my  wife  the  discourse,  and  my 
feelings,  and  that  I  would  follow  him  through  the  Quarterly 
Meeting,  and  attend  every  meeting  which  he  did,  in  order  to 
have  an  opportunity  of  conversing  with  him. 

I  perceived  that  the  Elder  intended  to  have  a  company ;  but 
I  thought  it  best  to  take  him  alone,  according  to  Gospel  order, 
and  then  was  willing  to  meet  him  before  whomsoever  he  pleas- 
ed, but  could  not  get  an  opportunity.  The  next  day,  he  was 
at  the  meeting  to  which  I  belong,  where  he  gave  us  a  similar 
discourse,  but  not  so  bare-faced.  After  meeting,  I  asked  him 
to  go  to  my  house  ;  he  answered,  "No,  I  am  going  to  another 
Friend's  house." 

I  went  home,  took  dinner,  and  went  to  that  house  immedi- 
ately. When  I  arrived,  he  was  rising  from  dinner.  I  beckon- 
ed to  him,  and  went  into  another  room ;  he  followed,  and  I 
shut  the  door.  I  soon  said  to  him,  "I  wish  to  have  some  talk 
with  thee,  with  the  privilege  of  speaking  freely,  openly,  and 
plainly ;  without  thy  taking  offense,  and  thou  shalt  have  the 
same  liberty  with  me ;  for  we  are  both  m^n  who  know  how  to 
treat  each  other  properly,  and  he  that  refuses  this  treatment, 


294  JOURNAL    OF 

shall  forfeit  his  right  of  having  any  further  attention  paid  to 
him."  To  this  he  cheerfully  agreed,  and  gave  me  his  hand. 
1  then  informed  him,  that  I  was  dissatisfied  with  his  preaching ; 
to  which  he  replied,  "Well,  wherein  ?"  I  then  proceeded  to 
repeat  his  text,  word  for  word,  and  said,  "This  gave  the  people 
to  believe  thou  wast  going  to  treat  upon  the  text  agreeably  to 
the  tenor  of  it.  Thou  acknowledged  that  God  planted  the  tree 
in  the  midst  of  the  garden,  as  the  Scripture  said ;  and  then  for 
full  half  an  hour  labored  to  make  us  believe  that  that  was  the 
only  evil  in  space,  instead  of  explaining  it  according  to  Scrip- 
ture ;  and  three  times  thou  asserted  it  was  not  possible  to  be 
otherwise.  I  cannot  take  up  with  thy  bare  assertion  ;  I  must 
have  better  proof  than  that ;  for  thy  idea  makes  the  Almighty 
the  author  of  all  evil ;  for  he  planted  the  tree."  He  said, 
"What  other  evil  is  there  then?"  I  replied,  "The  Bible  tells 
of  a  serpent."  "What !"  said  he,  "a  snake  ?"  I  replied,  "No, 
I  think  thou  knowest  better  than  that ;  no,  an  evil  spirit,  inim- 
ical to  all  good ;  and  if  thou  dost  not  know  of  such  a  devil  out 
of  thee,  thou  art  not  fit  to  preach.  Thou  and  I  have  been  such  fel- 
lows when  young,  and  wewouldtry  what  we  could  do  ;  and  wlren 
we  have  been  in  our  high  career  in  company,  something  has  met 
us,  so  clear  in  its  manifestations,  so  powerful  in  its  convictions, 
and  so  convincing  in  its  evidences,  that  we  have  had  to  acknowl- 
edge that  we  had  done  wrong,  in  thus  going  into  loose  compa- 
ny ;  and  thou  hast  felt  it  so  severe,  thou  hast  concluded  to  refrain 
from  such  courses ;  and  as  thou  didst  so,  thou  hast  felt  quiet  and 
peace,  and  as  thou  continued  in  well  doing,  thy  peace  has  increased. 
All  this  thou  knowest,  yet  by  unwatchfulness,  there  has  something 
from  somewhere,  (for  it  was  not  in  thee,  when  that  which 
brought  peace  was,  for  they  cannot  both  abide  in  the  same 
person  at  the  same  time,  we  both  know,)  that  suggested  to  thy 
mind,  that  the  serious  thoughts  were  all  a  notion ;  that  thou 
didst  not  make  thyself,  but  was  created  by  the  Almighty  ;  and 
that  He  gave  thee  thy  dispositions,  and  created  objects  of  de- 
light, and  placed  them  before  thee,  that  thou  mightest  enjoy 
them ;  but  when  thou  hast  listened,  and  put  forth  thy  hand, 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  29i^ 

End  embraced  the  temptation,  thou  hast  always  felt  thy  peace 
stung  to  death,  and  thy  conscience  sorely  smitten.  I  want  thee 
to  tell  me  what  these  two  are  that  will  not  agree  ;  the  one  urg- 
ing to  right,  promising  peace,  and  always  performing,  when  we 
obey ;  the  other  enticing  to  do  wrong,  and  promising  increase 
of  happiness,  but  always  disappointing  us.  If  that  tree  is  the 
only  evil  in  space,  what  is  that  which  thus  follows  us,  which  we 
both  know  ?" 

He  said.  "  I  do  not  mean  to  discard  the  idea  that  there  i» 
an  evil  spirit  which  tempts  us.**  I  said, "  What  then  dost  thou 
mean  to  deny  ?  Thou  certainly  denied  it  in  thy  preaching.'' 
He  said,  "  I  mean  to  deny  that  there  is  a  great  mawking  devil, 
with  one  ox  foot  and  one  man  foot  and  fire  eyes,  which  ap- 
pears to  the  people  to  scare  them."  I  said,  *'I  am  disappointed 
in  Elias  Hicks.  I  always  thought  him  to  be  a  man  of  talents. 
I  did  not  expect  to  hear  such  words  come  out  of  his  mouth.  I 
have  no  belief  that  there  is  a  child  in  our  country,  twelve  years 
old,  who  has  learning  enough  to  read,  that  believes  such  an 
idea.  Matter  does  not  inhabit  the  world  of  Spirits.''  He  re- 
marked, that  "  many  of  our  Quaker  Ministers  believed  it."  I 
requested  him  to  stop,  and  remarked,  that  "  the  Bible  tells  us 
that  our  Savior  cast  seven  devils  out  of  Mary  Magdalene,"  add- 
ing, "  thou  may  see  how  short  thy  ideas  are." 

I  then  took  up  the  tree  of  life,  and  his  statement  of  God's 
planting  it  in  the  midst  of  the  garden,  according  to  Scripture ; 
and  his  statement  of  its  being  God  Almighty  Himself,  and 
could  not  possibly  be  otherwise — and  requested  him  to  recon- 
cile these  two  statements,  and  make  good,  sound  doctrine,  or 
even  good  sense,  which  he  declined  attempting  to  do,  though  I 
pressed  him  closely. 

I  then  endeavared  to  show  him,  how  confusedly  he  handled 
the  Scriptures,  in  treating  the  fall  of  our  first  parents,  and  en- 
deavoring to  make  it  appear  that  there  was  no  other  evil  in 
space,  but  the  tree  of  knowledge ;  as  it  plainly  appeared  that 
there  were  three  criminals,  and  three  punishments  stated  aa 
facts  that  took  place,  and  wished  him  to  reconcile  this  with  his 


^t)6  JOURNAL   O^ 

discourse — in  which  he  had  crossed  himself— and  I  let  him 
know  that  these  were  points  I  must  have  cleared  up.  He  made 
no  reply,  though  I  urged  him* 

I  then  dropped  that  point,  and  took  up  his  assertion  of  our 
right  of  doing  as  we  pleased,  and  put  sundry  questions ;  wheth- 
er light  and  darkness  could  be  blended  together,  and  be  one 
thing  ?  He  answered,  "  it  is  not  possible.'"  I  proposed  to  him, 
that  "  good  and  evil,  right  and  wrong,  we  knew,  were  in  the 
world,  and  that  they  were  opposite,  we  knew.  Is  there  any 
such  thing,  as  bringing  these  together,  and  making  but  one 
thing  of  them  ? "  He  answered,  "  it  is  not  possible."  I  re- 
plied, "  each  must  have  its  spring  of  action,  and  place  of  ex- 
istence ;  now  I  want  thee  to  show  whether  all  good  must  not 
emanate  from  the  fountain  of  good,  and  evil  from  the  fountain 
of  evil ;  and  as  thou  hast  acknowledged  that  right  and  wrong, 
good  and  evil  cannot  be  brought  together,  show  where  thou 
gettest  thy  right  to  choose  evil,  for  thou  didst  not  make  thy- 
self, and  thy  rights  are  limited.  Where  didst  thou  obtain  lib- 
erty to  do  right  if  thou  pleased,  and  wrong  if  thou  pleased, 
which  thou  prizest  so  highly,  that  thou  wouldst  not  value  thy 
existence  worth  having  without  it  ?  Here,  Elias,  I  wish  thee  to 
clear  this  up  with  Scripture  proofs  and  sound  reason." 

He  sat  awhile,  and  replied ;  "  we  are  free  agents."  My  an- 
swer was,  "  free  agency  I  don't  deny ;  moral  agency  I  don't 
deny ;  but  we  were  created  agents,  we  were  not  our  own  crea- 
tors. Free  agency  belongs  to  the  Almighty ;  He  is  His  own 
agent,  His  own  being.  His  own  vast  dwelling  place  ;  we  receive 
all  our  power,  which  is  agency,  from  Him ;  we  are  limited  crea- 
tures. Now  show  me  wherein  we  are  not  accountable  for  those 
powers  and  faculties  which  are  given  us,  and  if  accountable, 
where  is  the  unlimited  freedom  ?  I  deny  that  Adam  was 
brought  into  existence,  a  free  agent;  for  he  was  God's  repre- 
sentative— His  image — and  placed  lord  of  these  lower  regions, 
free  from  guilt  and  shame.  His  free  agency  given  him,  there- 
fore, stood  in  freedom  of  fellowship  and  communion  with  his 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  297 

God.    I  can  see  claim  to  free  agency  in  no  other  point  of 
view." 

"  But  where  was  he  after  the  fall  ?  A  great  alteration  took 
place  ;  for  he  was  put  under  punishment  all  the  rest  of  his  life. 
Was  he  free  while  under  bonds,  and  these  never  to  cease  but 
with  hfe ;  and  the  same  with  his  wife,  for  the  same  length  of 
time  ?  Were  they  then,  or  ever  after,  free  agents  ?  But  there 
was  an  agency  renewed  to  them ;  they  were  to  have  dominion 
over  the  earth,  to  multiply  and  replenish  it,  and  to  till  the 
ground ;  this  I  call  moral  agency.  But  that  which  they  lost 
and  never  regained,  they  never  could  bestow  upon  their  off- 
spring, and  this  shows  the  reason  why  the  human  family  needed 
a  Mediator." 

He  sat  some  time,  entirely  silent,  and  then  said,  "  Free 
agency  I  will  not  give  up."  But  he  offered  no  defence  in  favor 
of  it. 

I  replied,  "  when  a  man  will  not  give  up  a  point  which  he 
don't  attempt  to  defend,  I  think  it  is  because  he  has  not  where- 
with to  support  his  argument ;  therefore,  I  shall  urge  it  no 
longer." 

I  then  said,  "  I  have  traveled  after  thee  in  New  England  a 
number  of  weeks ;  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  I  was  two 
weeks  behind  thee,  for  more  than  two  hundred  miles ;  in  all 
which  places  I  heard  many  remarks  upon  thy  preaching,  and 
some  upon  thy  private  conversation.  I  was  frequently  interro- 
gated, whether  I  was  acquainted  with  Elias  Hicks,  and  had 
unity  with  his  doctrines.  I  had  one  way  of  escape,  and  was 
glad  of  it.  "  I  have  not  heard  Elias  Hicks  preach  within  five 
years.  They  would  then  state  what  he  preached,  and  wished 
to  know  my  sentiments.  I  let  them  know  they  were  not  my 
sentiments  nor  doctrines. 

"  I  queried  with  them,  whether  they  had  been  honest  and 
let  him  know  their  dissatisfaction.  Some  said  they  sought 
such  opportunities,  but  could  not  obtain  them ;  others,  that  he 
appeared  so  great  that  they  were  afraid.  I  replied,  '  I  should 
have  talked  with  him ;  and  if  ever  I  see  him,  I  intend  to  tell 
19 


298  JOURNAL    OF 

him  how  you  talk  about  him.'  They  said,  *  thou  mayest  tell 
him  the  whole,  for  he  will  never  make  Quakers  by  his  preach- 
ing, but  he  will  make  infidels.' 

"  I  agree  with  them ;  and  I  have  no  more  unity  with  thy 
preaching  and  sentiments,  than  I  have  with  a  Presbyterian 
Priest,  who  preaches  unconditional  election. 

"But  as  we  have  discoursed  calmly,  and  are  now  going  to 
part,  I  cannot  in  conscience  give  thee  may  hand  in  fellowship ; 
but  if  thou  wilt  receive  it  as  a  token  of  civility,  and  let  me  re- 
serve the  fellowship,  I  will  give  it  upon  that  principle."  And 
I  reached  forth  my  hand.     He  took  it,  and  we  parted. 

He  staid  hereaway  some  time ;  held  meetings,  and  made 
social  visits,  until  he  had  enlisted  every  Elder  in  our  Monthly 
Meeting,  and  several  influential  members ;  and  went  off  and 
left  me  in  as  hot  a  furnace,  as  he  could  prepare  for  me. 

When  the  Hicksites  thought  they  had  become  strong  enough, 
they  made  strong  efforts  in  many  places,  to  displace  all  the  sound 
Clerks,  and  place  others  in  their  stead,  in  order  to  hold  the 
books  and  records.  They  made  a  resolute  attempt  to  displace 
the  clerks  of  our  Yearly  Meeting,  who  had  served  several  years, 
to  the  satisfaction  of  Friends ;  but  failing  in  their  attempt,  they 
manifested  much  uneasiness,  and  some  of  them  cast  unhand- 
some reflections  on  the  clerks.  The  great  struggle  was  with 
the  Ministers  and  Elders.  In  their  meeting  it  was  proposed 
(by  a  woman  Friend  from  England),  to  appoint  a  solid  commit- 
tee to  go  into  a  judicious  investigation  of  the  subject,  which 
Elias  violently  opposed ;  and  when  any  attempt  was  made  to 
bring  the  dispute  to  a  settlement,  he,  with  a  few  others,  would 
oppose  it  with  violence,  making  long  replies  to  every  one  who 
spoke;  their  replies  being  often  full  of  harsh  and  bitter  reflec- 
tions. In  this  way,  they  produced  such  confusion  in  the  meet- 
ing, that  the  business  could  not  be  done  in  order,  and  this  con- 
tinued, until  Friends  gave  up  the  attempt,  and  passed  through 
the  Yearly  Meeting,  (1827),  as  well  as  they  could.  When  a 
knowledge  of  the  cause  of  contention  became  more  spread,  the 
Hicksites  saw  their  former  mask   would  not  hide  them  any 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  299 

longer.  They  came  out  more  open  and  bold  in  their  princi- 
ples, laboring  in  every  part  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  where  they 
could,  to  make  strong  their  bands  in  preparation  for  a  large 
sweep  the  next  Yearly  Meeting,  (1828). 

Elias,  and  one  of  his  confederates,  in  the  spring  of  that  year, 
went  to  Philadelphia,  and  joined  a  body  that  were  of  his  prin- 
ciples, who  had  already  separated  from  Friends,  and  held  what 
they  called  a  Yearly  Meeting,  with  which,  he  fully  identified 
himself.  A  great  number  of  these  seceders  from  Philadelphia 
Yearly  Meeting,  many  of  whom  were  disowned,  or  under 
dealing  for  their  out-goings,  came  to  New  York.  Sev- 
eral of  these  imposed  themselves  upon  us  at  the  opening  of  the 
Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  on  seventh  day.  Friends 
bore  long  with  them  without  casting  any  reflections,  yet  stood 
firm  in  the  maintenance  of  our  ancient  order — not  to  transact 
the  business  of  the  Society,  before  those  who  are  not  members 
of  it — and  in  return  for  their  calmness,  received  little  but  harsh 
reflections  and  censures,  which  are  beyond  the  power  of  my  pen 
to  describe.  In  this  way  we  passed  two  long  sittings,  and  ad- 
journed until  after  the  opening  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  large, 
on  second  day,  when  several  hundred  of  these  intruders  poured 
in  upon  us,  and  proceeded  as  they  had  done  in  the  other  meet- 
ings. Friends  objected  to  proceeding  to  business,  until  the 
meeting  was  select.  The  Hicksites  insisted  that  the  regular 
clerk  should  not  act  for  the  meeting  at  all,  and  in  their  con- 
tending, used  abundance  of  censures ;  but  Friends  kept  calm, 
and  close  to  the  point  in  hand,  until  the  meeting  got  into  such 
a  general  uproar  that  no  business  could  be  done  in  decent  or- 
der. At  this  juncture,  a  Hicksite  proclaimed  that  the  repre- 
sentatives had  agreed  to  propose  such  a  Friend  for  clerk,  which 
was  not  strictly  true ;  for  it  was  ascertained  that  a  large  num- 
ber of  them  knew  nothing  of  the  Agreement.  This  was  objec- 
ted to  by  Friends,  and  united  with  by  a  few  Hicksites,  and 
quickly  a  cry  was  made  by  a  number  speaking  at  once,  "  Clerk, 
go  to  the  table  !  "  which  he  did,  and  a  part  of  the  way  by  pass- 
ing over  the  heads  of  Friends,  by  stepping  from  the  back  of 


300  JOURNAL   OP 

one  seat  to  another.  The  regular  clerks  were  crowded  away, 
and  he  was  placed  in  their  stead. 

At  the  time  the  cry  was  made  for  their  clerk  to  go  to  th^ 
table,  I  think  there  were  not  less  than  forty  or  fifty  on  their 
feet  speaking,  some  of  them  very  loud ;  many  were  drumming 
with  their  feet,  others  with  their  canes,  and  many  others  with 
their  hands,  on  the  backs  of  the  seats,  while  others  were  laugh- 
ing and  hissing,  and  acting  many  kinds  of  gestures,  indicating 
extreme  bitterness.  The  like  I  had  never  seen  before,  though 
I  had  traveled  all  over  this  continent,  where  there  was  known 
to  be  any  body  of  Friends,  and  had  then  passed  the  66th  year 
of  my  age,  had  seen  much,  but  nothing  that  would  compare 
with  this  horrid  scene ;  neither  had  it  entered  my  heart  to  be- 
lieve that  there  was  any  set  of  men,  professing  the  peaceable 
principles  of  a  Quaker,  who  would  act  so  void  of  all  truth,  jus- 
tice, and  honor,  as  they  did,  as  though  they  feared  not  God, 
neither  regarded  man,  and  believed  there  was  no  devil,  or  fu- 
ture punishment. 

When  the  din  had  so  abated  that  a  voice  could  be  heard,  a 
Friend  audibly  proposed  for  all  those  who  believed  in  our  an- 
cient principles,  and  wished  to  adhere  to  and  maintain  the  an- 
cient order  of  our  Society,  to  withdraw  to  the  basement  story, 
to  hold  the  Yearly  Meeting.  Accordingly,  we  arose,  and  went 
out  in  a  body ;  but  when  we  got  to  the  door  of  the  apartment, 
we  found  it  locked  and  guarded,  and  we  were  told,  in  a  taunt- 
ing manner,  that  if  we  attempted  to  open  the  door,  the  law 
would  be  put  in  force  against  us.  Friends  replied,  that  they 
should  use  no  violence,  but  wished  to  enjoy  their  rights  peace- 
ably. When  we  found  we  could  not  be  permitted  to  enter,  we 
retired  to  a  Medical  College  in  the  city,  where  we  transacted 
our  business  in  unity,  harmony,  and  a  peaceful  quiet.  A  new 
field  of  labor  now  opened,  in  ^expectation  that  the  Hicksites 
would  assume  to  be  the  Yearly  Meeting,  in  which  Friends  were 
not  deceived ;  therefore,  in  order  that  sound  Friends  should  not 
be  drawn  away  by  them,  an  epistle,  setting  forth  the  cause  of 
the  division,  and  the  treatment  Friends  endured,  was  drawn  up, 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  301 

and  a  large  committee  appointed  to  accompany  that  and  the 
extracts,  down  to  the  Preparative,  Monthly,  and  Quarterly 
Meetings,  as  promptly  as  way  might  open. 

The  Hicksite  Yearly  Meeting  closed  one  day  before  ours,  at 
the  close  of  which,  I  returned  home,  being  aware  that  the  two 
eldest  and  most  influential  men,  Elders,  had  for  many  years  ad- 
hered to  those  separate  doctrines,  and  having  become  strong 
therein,  endeavored  to  spread  them;  yet  I  had  opposed 
those  principles  in  every  part  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  where- 
ever  I  found  them,  showing  that  it  was  rotten  infidelity,  wrap- 
ped up  under  the  plausible  pretext  of  a  more  profound,  relig- 
ious knowledge,  thati  Friends  had  ever  attained  to  before.  My 
opposing  it  steadily,  which  was  mostly  among  the  younger 
class,  soon  got  to  the  Elders,  and  I  was  called  on  by  them,  and 
inquired  of,  if  I  opposed  such  sentiments.  I  let  them  know 
that  I  did,  and  gave  them  my  mind,  letting  them  understand 
plainly,  that  if  such  sentiments  prevailed  amongst  Friends,  the 
time  would  come  when  it  would  make  the  greatest  division  that 
ever  was,  since  Friends  were  a  people ;  as  their  principles  were 
not  those  of  Friends ;  being  deistical  sentiments,  which  seemed 
to  offend  them.  I  was  told  in  reply,  that  they  were  Elias  Hick's 
sentiments,  and  that  he  was  no  deist,  but  the  greatest  man  in 
the  world;  and  one  of  them  said,  "I  believe  he  knows  more 
than  George  Fox  did."  I  replied,  "I  do  not  go  to  Elias  Hicks 
or  any  other  man  for  my  religion."  I  was  replied  to,  in  a  short 
way,  that  he  was  not  afraid  to  trust  himself  upon  Elias  Hicks* 
knowledge.  Thus,  all  our  friendship  closed,  as  they  continued, 
both  in  public  and  private,  whenever  they  thought  it  would  be 
borne,  to  pour  out  censure  upon  me  to  destroy  my  credit  as  a 
Minister,  and  my  influence  in  the  discipline  and  amongst  Friends; 
having  others  to  back  them  openly.  Not  knowing  how  far  their 
pernicious  principles  were  diffused,  it  seemed  at  times,  as  though 
there  were  but  a  few  steps  between  me  and  death. 

Before  we  left  New  York,  I  told  Friends  of  my  own  Quarter 
who  were  appointed  with  me  on  the  Yearly  Meeting's  Commit- 
tee, that  I  thought  it  would  be  best  for  us  to  furnish  ourselves  with 


302  JOURNAL     OF 

epistles  and  extracts ;  giving  them  my  reasons,  with  which  they 
united ;  yet  when  we  got  home  the  Hicksite  epistles  and  ex- 
tracts were  circulating  from  hand  to  hand,  very  currently.  The 
minds  of  Friends  seemed  agitated,  and  things  looked  gloomy  ; 
yet  they  were  favored  to  keep  steady  and  calm,  so  that  when 
the  documents  from  our  Yearly  Meeting  were  offered  to  the 
Preparative  Meetings  of  Starksboro  Monthly  Meeting,  at  which 
time  there  were  four,  they  all  received  and  acknowledged  them, 
without  a  dissenting  voice.  Two  of  the  Preparative  Meetings 
at  Ferrisburg  Monthly  Meeting,  received  them  without  any  hesi- 
tation ;  the  others  refused.  The  Preparative  Meetings  of  Peru 
Monthly  Meeting  refused  to  pay  any  attention  to  the  Yearly 
Meeting's  committee.  "When  Monthly  Meeting  came,  the  com- 
mittee presented  our  epistle  and  extracts,  which  were  violently 
opposed  by  a  few,  and  the  committee  was  treated  with  very 
unhandsome  language.  At  length,  a  Friend  proposed  to  allow 
more  time,  as  he  thought  they  were  not  enough  informed  to 
come  to  a  judgment  on  so  weighty  and  important  a  subject ;  add- 
ing, he  had  seen  the  epistle  and  extracts  on  one  side,  and  that 
he  wanted  to  see  them  on  the  other,  before  he  could  form  a 
judgment  to  his 'satisfaction,  and  thought  it  was  the  case  with 
others.  This  was  satisfactory,  and  the  subject  was  laid  over 
for  one  month.  At  Ferrisburg  Monthly  Meeting,  the  two  El- 
ders censured  us  for  attempting  to  come  there  and  offer  an 
epistle  from  that  company  who  had  gone  off  from  the  great  bo- 
dy of  Friends.  The  committee  calmly  showed  them,  that  our 
Yearly  Meeting  was  in  full  unity  with  the  Yearly  Meetings  in 
Europe,  and  nearly  all  on  this  Continent,  and  that  theirs  was 
disowned  ;  which  somewhat  checked  their  boasting. 

After  enduring  many  reflections,  a  proposition  was  made  to 
let  it  rest  one  month  for  consideration,  which  appeared  to  be 
the  mind  of  several ;  and  the  committee  uniting,  informed,  that 
all  who  wished  for  information,  would  have  the  epistle  and  ex- 
tracts handed  them,  at  the  close  of  the  meeting.  Nearly  all 
came  forward  and  were  furnished ;  and  here  it  rested  for  one 
month.     Starksboro  Monthly  Meeting  received,  and  cordially 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  303 

united  with  the  epistles  and  extracts,  without  a  dissenting  voice. 
When  the  month  came  round,  we  attended  Peru  again,  and  re- 
newed the  offer  of  the  extracts  and  epistles ;  which  met  with  a 
resolute  opposition  from  a  few ;  but  Friends  being  now  well  in- 
formed, a  number  desired  to  have  them  read.  The  debate  con- 
tinued two  hours;  during  this  time,  theHicksites  often  threw  out 
heavy  and  harsh  censure  upon  the  committee,  one  of  them  proph- 
esying with  affected  solemnity,  that  we  were  in  a  delusion,  and 
should  run  out  to  nothing  ;  yet  Friends  were  favored  to  keep 
patient,  until  the  Hicksites  had  much  exhausted  their  funds,  in 
a  way  that  was  not  convincing  in  their  favor.  At  length  it  was 
proposed  by  a  Friend,  that  he  thought  it  would  be  right  for 
those  who  had  spoken  so  much,  to  give  it  up,  and  let  the  meet- 
ing decide,  as  they  were  not  likely,  by  continuing  the  dispute, 
to  bring  the  business  to  a  close ;  and  seeing  the  meeting  so  ful- 
ly united,  they  gave  up.  The  documents  were  then  read  and 
accepted ;  and  the  women's  meeting  did  the  same. 

When  we  came  again  to  Ferrisburg  Monthly  Meeting,  and  of- 
fered the  extracts,  the  Elders  arose  in  vehement  opposition, 
casting  on  us  and  the  Yearly  Meeting,  heavy  censure ;  calling 
the  committee  separatists — deluded  imposers  on  Friends^ — press- 
ing us  not  to  stand  against  the  great,  and  weighty  body  of  Friends, 
of  which  they  were  members — that  such  attempts  have  never 
prospered,  and  never  would.  In  this  way,  they  kept  bearing 
down  on  the  committee  whenever  they  offered  anything  to  the 
meeting,  until  it  was  in  such  confusion,  that  there  would  be  five 
or  six  up  and  speaking  at  one  time.  Several  moves  of  this  kind 
were  made  when  any  Friend  arose  to  speak.  They  seemed  de- 
termined to  run  us  down,  and  the  clerk — ^being  a  Hicksite — 
would  have  nothing  to  do  with  our  business.  A  Friend  pro- 
posed for  Friends  to  withdraw,  when  a  Hicksite  arose  quickly 
and  said  there  was  no  need  of  dividing, — ^he  knew  of  nothing  to 
dinde  for.  When  he  stopped,  another  arose  and  requested  to 
be  heard,  and  spoke  lengthy.  The  substance  was,  keep  togeth- 
er a  little  longer.  Through  the  whole.  Friends  were  favored  to 
keep  much  in  the  patience.     When  the  last  set  down,  I  soon 


304  JOURNAL   OF 

arose  and  proposed,  that  all  who  believe  in  and  are  satisfied 
with  the  ancient  principles  of  Friends,  propagated  and  main- 
tained by  George  Fox  and  his  cotemporaries,  and  wished  to 
maintain  our  discipline  and  ancient  order,  which  was  estabhsh- 
ed  by  our  forefathers,  which  has  proved  a  blessing  to  our  so- 
ciety to  the  present  day,  to  withdraw  as  still  as  they  could. — 
Then  I  went  out  to  the  school-house,  and  found  it  fastened.  I 
had  not  expected  more  than  one  quarter  of  the  meeting  would 
withdraw.  But  when  I  turned  about  and  saw  such  a  body 
standing,  and  little  lads  from  ten  to  fifteen  years  of  age,  looking 
as  sober  as  old  men  ;  and  some  of  them  with  tears  in  their 
eyes,  it  so  came  over  me,  that  for  a  short  time,  I  had  enough 
to  do  to  command  the  man.  After  a  short  pause  and  recollec- 
tion, I  thought  we  had  nothing  but  the  open  canopy  to  hold 
our  meeting  under.  But  looking  around,  I  saw  at  the  east  end 
of  the  horse  shed,  there  was  a  space,  where  we  went.  And  by 
taking  the  seats  out  of  Friends'  carriages,  and  picking  up  a  few 
boards,  we  seated  more  than  forty  pretty  comfortably ;  leaving 
only  eleven  men  and  three  lads  in  the  house,  although  they  had 
boasted  of  their  great  majority. 

Shortly  after  we  were  seated,  a  pleasant  calm  came  over  the 
meeting,  which  brought  us  into  a  tender  and  near  unity,  one 
with  another,  which  encouraged  our  drooping  minds,  to  go  for- 
ward in  this  sharp  trial.  We  appointed  clerks,  and  having  the 
minutes  of  two  of  our  Preparative  Meetings,  after  a  suitable  in- 
troductory minute  to  organize  the  meeting,  we  transacted  the 
business  in  much  harmony,  and  adjourned  to  Monkton.  The 
women  kept  the  house  for  the  day,  but  the  Hicksites  refused  to 
act  with  them.  They  also  adjourned  to  Monkton,  where  we 
hold  our  meetings  to  the  present  time,  without  interruption. 

At  the  ensuing  Quarterly  Meeting,  which  came  in  course  at 
I*eru,  we  had  the  company  of  several  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's 
committee,  from  New  York  and  thereabouts ;  and  all  three  of 
the  Monthly  Meetings  having  fully  acknowledged  the  authority 
of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  there  was  but  little  struggle  in  the  Quar- 
ter, and  we  went  through  with  our  business  comfortably.    Yet, 


JOSEPH   HOAG,  305 

at  the  next  Quarter,  held  at  Ferrisburg,  there  came  a  company 
of  Hicksites  from  New  York,  Long  Island,  Saratoga,  and  Pitts- 
town,  who  got  into  the  house  early,  and  filled  the  seat  at  the 
clerk's  table ;  and  when  the  clerk  drew  near,  an  individual  from 
Peru,  gave  him  a  push  to  keep  him  off;  and  when  he,  by  direc- 
tion, arose  to  open  the  meeting,  the  Hicksites  opposed  him,  and 
ordered  their  own  clerk  to  proceed.  Friends  opposed  this  in 
moderation,  and  civil  language,  and  with  composed  firmness  as- 
serted their  rights,  and  gave  their  reasons.  This  so  heated  them, 
that  they  fell  to  their  usual  practice  of  censuring,  a  number  speak- 
ing at  the  same  time,  until  the  meeting  was  in  great  confusion. 
They  withal  let  us  know,  that  their  meeting  they  would  hold, 
and  that  we  should  not  do  our  business  first,  if  we  sat  all  day. 

I  looked  it  all  over ;  it  being  the  fall  Quarter,  the  roads  were 
muddy,  and  it  was  four  miles  to  the  nearest  meeting-house ;  the 
probability  was,  that  if  we  attempted  to  withdraw  at  that  time, 
as  the  weather  was  not  favorable  for  being  out  of  doors,  that 
these  circumstances  might  induce  some  to  stay  with  them,  and 
others  might  go  home,  rather  than  undertake  the  toil,  as  it 
would  bring  meeting  very  late.  Under  these  views,  I  propo- 
sed to  Friends  to  stop  disputing  and  sit  quietly,  and  let  them 
do  their  business,  hoping  that  when  they  were  done,  they  would 
treat  us  with  a  little  civility.  Friends  readily  agreed  to  the  pro- 
posal, and  the  Hicksites  proceeded,  and  might  have  finished  in 
a  short  time,  for  their  business  appeared  to  be  nearly  all  writ- 
ten down ;  but  their  clerk  appeared  disposed  to  prolong  the 
time  all  he  could  ;  and  when  they  were  informed  that  the  bus- 
iness was  completed,  several  of  them  wanted  to  clear  their  minds; 
so  we  had  to  sit,  I  think  near  an  hour  to  hear  them,  which  was  cal- 
culated to  wear  our  patience,  and  grind  our  feelings.  After  they 
had  all  got  through,  no  reply  being  made,  we  sat  quietly  a  little 
time,  then  modestly  asked  the  Hicksite  clerk,  to  let  our  clerk 
come  to  the  table.  He  did  not,  however,  and  was  asked  the 
second  time ;  but  he  did  not  move,  until  one  of  his  own  side 
said,  that  as  we  had  sat  so  long  quietly,  and  had  not  disturbed 
them,  he  thought  now  we  ought  to  have  the  privilege  of  doing 


306  JOURNAL    OF 

our  business.  Their  clerk  then,  with  apparent  reluctance,  left 
the  table,  and  our  clerk  came  forward  and  opened  the  meeting. 
The  Hicksites  withdrew,  leaving  us  to  transact  our  business, 
wliich  was  accomplished  in  harmony,  and  greatly  to  our  com- 
fort. "We  adjourned  the  meeting  for  worship  the  next  day  to 
Monkton,  where  we  had  a  large,  crowded  meeting,  many  of 
our  neighbors  coming  in,  some  of  whom  had  left  our  meetings 
on  account  of  the  doctrines  they  heard  preached  by  travellers 
that  came  amongst  us,  not  knowing  but  that  Friends  approved 
of  such  views.  But  now,  seeing  the  separation  had  taken  place, 
said,  "We  will  come  to  your  meetings  again,  where  we  can  hear 
the  old  fashioned  preaching ;  for  you  believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  as 
we  do — the  other  side  does  not ;" — an  evidence  that  those  of 
other  Societies  saw  clearly  what  error  was  promulgated— calling 
it  infidelity. 

This  division  in  the  Quarter,  proved  favorable  for  Peru  ;  for 
there  the  Hicksites  would  not  divide,  but  kept  harrassing 
Friends ;  but  now  they  went  out  with  the  rest,  which  gave  us 
the  opportunity  of  knowing  who  they  were,  and  relieved  Friends 
of  a  grievous  burden.  Now  we  can  meet,  worship,  and  trans- 
act our  business  without  interruption,  to  our  great  joy. 

A  short  time  before  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  there  came  a  letter 
from  Friends  of  Danby  Monthly  Meeting,  informing  that  the 
Hicksite  extracts  were  presented  to  their  last  meeting,  and  that 
a  considerable  majority  chose  to  accept  and  identify  themselves 
with  them ;  in  consequence  whereof  a  number  withdrew  to  a 
Friend's  house,  and  adjourned  the  meeting  to  be  held  the  next 
month  at  Granville,  earnestly  desiring  those  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting's  committee  belonging  to  Ferrisburg  Quarter,  to  meet 
with  them,  as  they  had  no  prospect  that  any  of  the  committee 
from  the  south  would  attend.  Agreeably  to  their  request,  four 
of  us  attended,  and  found  them  laboring  under  great  discour- 
agement ;  yet  there  appeared  a  sufiicient  number  of  well  quali- 
fied members,  t<*  sustain  a  Monthly  Meeting  to  the  honor  of 
Truth.  We  met  at  the  meeting  house — the  Hicksites  also  at- 
tending— and  at  the  opening  of  the  meeting  for  business,  we 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  307 

offered  the  extracts  from  our  Yearly  Meeting,  and  requested  the 
privilege  of  attending  to  the  business  according  to  the  order, 
and  in  subordination  to  the  Yearly  Meeting,  under  which  the 
Monthly  Meeting  had  always  acted.  The  Hicksites  rejected 
this  with  abusive  language,  especially  one  of  their  nuntber,  who 
made  use,  I  think,  of  the  most  insulting  language  we  met  with  ; 
but  by  being  guarded,  Friends  were  preserved  from  running 
into  rambling  disputes,  which  were  sought  for  by  the  dissent- 
ing party.  When  we  had  accomplished  our  duty  agreeably  to 
our  appointment,  we  withdrew  to  a  convenient  dwelling,  owned 
by  a  Friend,  who  kindly  offered  it,  where  we  sat  down  like  two 
little  flocks  of  kids,  feeling  stripped,  peeled,  and  borne  down. 
In  this  state,  it  pleased  the  God  of  all  our  sure  mercies,  to  com- 
passionate us,  and  favoring  with  the  overshadowing  of  His 
heavenly  presence,  to  the  reviving  of  our  drooping  spirits,  and 
strengthening  our  confidence  in  His  never-failing  arm.  The 
members  were  brought  into  unity  and  sympathy  one  with  an- 
other, and  we  passed  through  the  business  to  our  mutual  satis- 
faction, and  I  believe,  to  our  thankful  joy  in  the  Lord,  who  had 
wonderfully  made  a  way  for  our  escape  from  the  scourge  of  the 
cruel  tongue,  and  had  enabled  us  to  hold  our  meetings  in  the 
ancient  quiet.  The  minds  of  the  committee  were  brought  into 
serious  consideration  of  the  propriety  of  encouraging  Friends 
to  try  to  sustain  Easton  Quarterly  Meeting,  All  being  united 
therein,  it  appeared  necessary  for  that  Monthly  Meeting  to  ap- 
point a  committee  to  visit  East  Hoosick  Monthly  Meeting  to 
inform  them  of  what  had  taken  place,  and  of  the  proposition 
for  them  to  meet  with  us.  After  a  time  of  consideration,  the 
meeting  appointed  a  committee,  who  found  that  most  of  the 
Friends  in  East  Hoosick  were  sound  in  principle,  and  rejoiced 
in  the  steps  that  had  been  taken. 

When  the  time  came,  we  found  a  larger  collection  than  we 
had  expected ;  for  we  had  several  from  Easton  and  Troy 
Monthly  Meeting,  whose  remaining  with  Friends  we  knew  not 
of.  We  also  had  several  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's  committee 
from  the  Southern  Quarters,  who  approved  of  the  steps  taken. 


308  JOURNAL    OF 

The  several  sittings  were  favored,  contriting  seasons,  tending 
to  strengthen  our  confidence  in  the  unslumbering  Shepherd  of 
Israel.  The  meeting  was  adjourned  to  the  same  place  the  next 
quarter.  It  was  considerably  larger,  and  owned  by  the  great 
Head  of  the  Church.  Our  business  was  conducted  with  solem- 
nity and  near  unity  and  brotherly  condescension,  and  adjourned 
to  be  at  Adams,  the  next  Quarter,  formerly  called  East  Hoo- 
sick     This  ends  the  account  for  the  year  1828. 


CHAPTER  XL 

In  the  year  1829,  having  obtained  the  unity  of  my  own 
Monthly  Meeting,  I  set  out  the  10th  of  7th  month,  to  perform 
a  religious  visit  in  the  vicinity  of  several  of  the  Southern  Quar- 
ters in  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  fell  in  at  a  small  meeting  at 
Danby  oli  first  day,  that  seemed  to  me  like  a  little  company  of 
kids  couched  down,  while  the  boasting  Assyrian  Spirit  had  fill- 
ed the  country  with  their  clamor;  and  when  I  came  to  sit 
down  with  them,  I  was  favored  to  feel  the  presence  of  the  Lamb 
oi  God  to  be  with  them  ;  with  a  clear  evidence  that  the  Lord 
Almighty  continues  to  regard  the  low  estate  of  His  people, 
who  look  to  him  with  unabated  constancy,  for  counsel,  direc- 
tion, and  protection ;  and  that  His  never  failing  arm  always 
upholds — -His  wisdom  guides — and  His  almighty  power  enables 
them  to  fight  under  the  banner  of  the  Lamb,  so  as  to  obtain 
the  victory.  My  heart  was  made  glad,  and  my  soul  comforted 
in  being  with  them.  At  four  in  the  afternoon,  I  had  an  ap- 
pointed meeting  in  a  small  village  called  the  Borough,  where 
considerably  more  came  than  I  expected.  They  were  mostly 
a  sober  countenanced  people;  it  was  a  favored,  satisfactory 
meeting  to  me.  Some  Friends  thought  there  would  have  been 
many  more  at  the  meeting,  had  not  a  Hicksite  preacher  come 
into  the  place  a  few  hours  before  me,  and  notice  thereof  spread 
ahead  of  mine.  Many  of  other  societies  were  disposed  to  go 
and  hear  for  themselves,  and  see  if  he  would  preach  up  his 
principles;  as  many  had  heard  him  years  before,  when  he 
stood  in  unity  with  Friends  ;  but  now  they  were  disappointed, 
as  several  told  me,  for  he  never  touched  his  principles,  appear- 
ing careful  to  preach  an  old  fashioned  sermon ;  which  gave 


310  JOURNAL    OP 

them  cause  to  think  he  was  a  hypocrite,  and  ashamed  to  own 
his  principles.  This  so  nettled  the  Hicksites,  that  they  resort- 
ed to  their  accustomed  plea,  that  the  people  did  not  under- 
stand him;  they  believed  he  meant  otherwise;  which  they 
could  not  reconcile  with  the  people ;  so  that  his  visit  proved 
not  satisfactory  to  either  party. 

After  meeting,  I  went  to  Noah  Conger's,  and  staid  that 
night,  and  most  of  second  day.  The  Hicksites  finding  I  was 
there,  several  of  them  and  a  number  of  friendly  neighbors  came 
in.  Caleb  Randall,  one  of  the  Hicksites,  a  subtle,  oily-tongued 
man,  aimed  at  me  his  discourse.  I  think  for  one  hour  and  a 
half  he  kept  up  his  caviling.  And  by  being  guarded,  I  was 
enabled  to  answer  in  a  way  that  disappointed  him  in»  every  at- 
tack. At  length,  I  told  him  that  I  knew  he  was  as  subtle  as 
any  other  man,  and  that  he  would  not  get  me  in  that  way,  for 
I  was  aware  of  him,  and  he  might  as  well  give  it  up  first  as  last. 
This  so  far  dashed  him,  that  he  dropped  his  discourse  and  be- 
came mute.  This  gave  me  an  opportunity  to  make  a  number 
of  observations  on  his  expressions,  and  to  state  a  number  of 
facts,  which  I  was  eye  and  ear  witness  to,  of  their  conduct  and 
language;  very  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  those  neighbors 
who  sat  by;  upon  which  he  left.  Though  a  number  were 
present,  we  soon  all  became  silent,  and  were  favored  with  a 
tendering,  refreshing  time,  not  easy  to  be  forgotten  by  me. 
After  which  I  took  my  leave  of  them,  and  went  to  Christopher 
Almy's,  in  Tinmouth,  and  had  a  meeting  on  third  day,  in  that 
neighborhood,  with  a  thoughtful  people,  several  of  whom  were 
looking  toward  Friends.  It  was  a  favored  time,  I  hope  to  the 
praise  of  the  Lord,  and  promotion  of  the  righteous  cause  of  the 
Gospel. 

On  fourth  day,  I  had  a  meeting  in  another  part  of  Tinmouth. 
It  was  full ;  the  minds  of  the  people  appeared  open  to  hear  the 
truths  of  the  Gospel.  It  was  a  refreshing,  relieving  time  to  my 
mind.  Thanks  be  ascribed  to  the  Lord  Most  High,  for  the 
continuation  of  his  day  of  favor  and  visitation  to  the  people, 
and  strengthening  His  poor  dependent  servants  as  He  leadeth 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  311 

Ihem  about,  and  they  are  obedient  to  do  all  lie  requires  of 
them ;  richly  rewarding  them  with  heavenly  peace.  Blessed 
be  His  holy  name  ! 

Fifth  day,  I  went  to  Abner  Potter's,  in  Granville,  State  of 
New  York  On  sixth  day,  I  had  a  very  small  meeting  in 
North  Granville  Village.  After  sitting  a  little  in  silence,  an  in- 
fidel sitting  in  the  meeting,  inquired  the  difference  between  the 
Orthodox  Friends  and  the  Hicksites.  I  felt  fully  at  liberty  to 
answer  him,  by  stating  the  difference  in  sentiment  on  points  of 
doctrine.  He  broke  in  several  times,  to  defend  the  Hicksites. 
I  told  him,  he  had  asked  a  fair  question,  and  I  should  answer 
it  before  I  went  on  any  other  discourse.  When  I  had  thus 
said,  I  took  up  his  and  the  Hicksites  principles,  and  showed 
him  that  his  and  their  belief  had  no  proof  but  bare  assertion, 
for  they  both  discarded  the  Scriptures  as  a  test  for  doctrines. 
It  was  folly,  and  they  had  no  right  to  resort  to  a  book  to  prop 
their  fabric,  which  they  declared  not  to  be  relied  on ;  so  of 
course  they  had  no  proof  but  their  wit,  eloquence,  art  or  soph- 
istry, to  prop  their  fabric  with,  while  we  had  the  Scriptures ; 
for  as  we  believed  in  them,  we  had  a  right  to  appeal  to  them,. 
Especially  as  they  were  ushered  into  the  world  in  a  different 
manner  from  other  books  ;  God  being  pleased  to  bear  the  wit- 
ness of  them  by  signs  and  wonders,  and  many  miracles — a  proof 
of  their  Divine  origin.  Also,  the  records  of  several  nations  co- 
temporary  with  them,  had  stated  the  same  events,  in  a  number 
of  instances ;  and  I  should  not  ramble  about  with  him,  but  call 
for  his  proof.  He  became  mute,  and  after  a  short  pause,  fil- 
ing my  mind  much  opened,  I  took  up  the  subject  at  large,  and 
showed  the  few  who  were  gathered,  the  abundant  proof  there 
was  in  support  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  great  want  of  it  on  the 
side  of  the  infidel ;  also  the  reason  of  our  hope  and  faith,  from 
the  same  store  of  proof.  When  I  felt  the  current  to  stop,  and 
closed  with  it,  a  perceptible  solemnity  was  spread  over  the 
meeting,  and  some  shed  tears.  We  sat  a  little;  the  people 
were  then  informed  that  I  had  nothing  more  for  them.  All 
appeared  well  satisfied  who  spoke  to  me ;  one  woman  express- 


312  E^  JOURNAL    OF 

ed,  slie  believed  every  word.  I  felt  my  mind  fully  relieved 
and  comforted. 

On  seventh  day,  I  returned  to  Danby,  and  attended  that  lit- 
tle meeting  again,  and  another  in  the  afternoon,  which  was 
large  for  that  place.  In  both,  the  Master  of  Israel's  assemblies 
was  felt  to  be  in  the  midst  with  His  people,  to  comfort  and 
strengthen  them  to  hold  up  the  standard  of  Truth  in  its  own 
authority ;  to  the  praise  of  His  own  name,  who  is  worthy 
thereof.  On  second  day,  with  Noah  Conger,  I  went  to  Mount 
Holly,  where  all  the  members  but  one  were  gone  from  Friends ; 
the  most  of  them  Hicksites ;  so  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  Meth- 
odist meeting-house ;  many  of  the  inhabitants  and  most  of  the 
Hicksites  attending.  I  was  led  in  a  way  not  usual  for  me, 
having  to  state  our  principles  on  the  fundamental  points  of  the 
Gospel,  and  those  of  the  Hicksites  on  the  same  points,  contrast- 
ing the  diflPerence  between  the  two,  at  considerable  length ; 
bringing  into  view  much  Scripture  proof  of  our  doctrines,  so 
that  it  was  a  laborious  day  to  me ;  yet  through  the  tender  mer- 
cy of  Jehovah,  holy  Help  was  given  equal  to  the  occasion,  and 
sufficient  for  the  day.  Blessed  be  His  holy  name  !  For  His 
heavenly  presence  was  felt  to  spread  over  the  meeting — a  sol- 
emn, tendering  time,  to  many  minds. 

I  went  to  the  house  of  Samuel  Cook,  an  elder  who  went 
with  the  Hicksites  ;  most  of  that  class  there,  coming  in,  one  of 
them  began  the  subject.  This  opened  the  way  for  me  to  in- 
form them  what  the  Hicksite  principles  were,  in  all  its  bear- 
ings, and  of  their  conduct,  that  I  had  been  an  eye  and  ear  wit- 
ness of,  relative  to  their  rending,  harsh  conduct  in  words  and 
actions.  They  sat  like  people  amazed  until  I  got  through, 
then  asked  a  few  questions,  which  I  answered  plainly  and  clearly, 
so  that  when  we  parted  with  Samuel  Cook  and  family,  he  look- 
ed like  a  sick  man.  I  found  they  had  been  j&lled  with  false 
representations.  In  answer  to  those  questions,  I  stated  facts 
that  could  be  supported  by  the  best  authority,  and  a  large 
number  of  accredited  documents.  I  left  it  with  them  to  think 
for  themselves,  with  desires  that  the  Lord  might  compassionate, 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  313 

in  His  boundless  favors,  of  His  forgiving  mercies  to  these  poor, 
deceived  creatures,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do.  With 
thankfulness,  I  may  truly  acknowledge,  that  I  felt  as  great  sat- 
isfaction and  peace  in  the  labors  of  this  interview,  as  any  ser- 
vice, I  had  performed  in  the  cause  of  Truth,  in  this  journey. 

Third  day,  we  returned  to  Danby.  On  fourth  day,  I  attend- 
ed the  small  meeting  there,  where  we  were  comforted  together, 
being  favored  to  feel  the  Heavenly  Father's  love  to  bind  us  to- 
gether in  the  fellowship  of  the  Gospel.  After  meeting,  I  re- 
turned to  Granville,  and  having  taken  cold,  I  lay  by  sixth  and 
seventh  days  to  recruit,  at  the  house  of  my  valued  friend,  Na- 
thaniel Potter.  First  day,  the  26tl^  I  attended  Friends'  meet- 
ing, and  appointed  another  in  East  Granville  for  the  afternoon. 
In  both,  the  spring  of  the  Gospel  was  lively,  and  its  testimony 
went  forth  in  the  clearness  of  Gospel  authority,  to  the  humb- 
ling and  tendering  of  the  minds  of  many ;  Truth  reigned  to  the 
glory  and  ho»or  of  the  God  of  all  grace,  to  whom  all  praise  be- 
longeth ;  and  may  He  grant  the  favor  of  the  day  to  be  a  lasting 
blessing  to  the  people. 

Second  day,  the  2'7th,  I  went  to  Cambridge,  and  called  on 

,  a  family  that  had  been  more  than  common  attached  to 

me  for  twenty  years  or  more ;  so  much  so,  that  they  seemed 
hurt  in  their  feelings  if  I  passed  by,  and  did  not  call  on  them. 
Of  course,  I  often  called  when  I  passed  that  way ;  for  I  had  of- 
ten been  a  guest  at  the  table  of  his  wife's  parents,  for  nearly 
twenty-seven  years,  and  was  always  treated  with  great  respect. 
Her  father  had  been  deceased  two  or  three  years,  and  her  moth- 
er was  living  with  her.  When  I  entered  the  door,  the  wife  was 
standing  near ;  I  offered  her  my  hand  ;  she  gave  her  hahd  with 
a  remarkable  sour  look.  I  then  asked  after  the  family's  health  ; 
she  answered  me  with  a  voice  that  indicated  ill-nature,  and  I 
could  not  hear  all  she  said.  I  then  asked,  if  her  mother  was 
living ;  she  said,  "yes,  she  is  in  the  other  room."  She  went  in, 
and  I  followed,  and  took  her  mother  by  the  hand,  asking  after 
her  health.  She  answered,  "I  am  a  poor  creature ;"  then  look- 
ed me  full  in  the  face,  withdrew  her  hand,  and  turned  from  me  ; 
20 


514  JOURNAL    OF 

her  daughter  told  her  who  I  was,  but  it  made  no  difference  in 
her  coYiduct.  I  introduced  some  discourse,  but  got  no  answer. 
When  I  got  tired  of  this  treatment,  I  went  into  the  other  room 
again,  and  asked  for  the  husband,  as  I  wished  to  see  him.  She 
sent  for  him  ;  he  was  not  far  off,  (as  he  stood  and  looked  at  me 
when  I  drove  up  to  the  door,)  but  did  not  come  in.  I  urged 
it ;  she  sent  for  him  a  second  time,  yet  he  did  not  come.  I 
asked  twice  for  some  food  for  my  horse.  At  length  there  was 
a  small  lock  of  hay  brought,  which  looked  like  the  leavings  of 
another ;  my  creature  would  not  touch  it,  though  she  had  been 
drove  a  long  distance,  and  was  quite  hungry.  The  wife — moth- 
er of  the  family — asked  ft  I  wanted  some  victuals  ;  I  told  her 
"No"  (for  the  truth  was  I  had  got  a  full  meal  by  this  time,)  but 
said,  "I  shall  be  glad  of  some  cool  drink."  She  brought  me  a 
glass  of  warm  beer,  with  a  cold  countenance,  and  slc^  step.  I 
endeavored  to  introduce  discourse  on  different  subjects;  but  got 
for  answer,  Yes,  or  No  ;  and  sometimes  no  answer  at  all.  I  had 
not  often  been  beat  in  this  way,  and  was  not  willing  to  give  it 
up,  as  I  had  called  on  them,  for  former  friendship ;  not  know- 
ing how  they  stood.  After  sitting  some  time  silent,  I  pleasant- 
ly asked  her,  what  I  had  done,  or  what  had  transpired,  that 
changed  their  conduct  towards  me  ;  as  I  did  not  know  what  it 
was,  I  wished  to  be  informed  ;  but  got  no  answer.  I  repeated 
the  question  several  times,  yet  there  was  no  answer.  She  be- 
came "dumb.  I  then  stated,  that  it  was  my  right,  if  I  had  done 
anything,  to  know  what  it  was,  that  I  might  take  it  out  of  the 
way  ;  and  if  innocent,  to  speak  for  myself.  When,  this  answer 
answer  was  given :  "  I  have  nothing  laid  up  against  anybody." 
I  said,  "This  does  not  directly  answer  my  question,  and  from 
what  I  have  seen  and  met  with,  I  shall  consider  myself  excused 
from  calling  on  you  in  future ;  "  and  left  them  with  ray  mind 
filled  with  heartfelt  pity,  with  this  conclusion  :  if  this  is  the  ef- 
fect of  Hicksite  principles,  I  am  glad  and  thankful  that  I  am 
no  Hicksite.  *I  then  had  to  ride  nine  miles,  before  I  got  any 
refreshment  for  myself  and  horse,  after  driving  a  pretty  full 
day's  journey  before — unless  I  had  stopped  at  a  tavern.    When 


JOSEPH    HO AG.  315 

I  arrived  at  Cornelius  Devors  widow's,  I  met  with  a  kind  re- 
ception, good  entertainment,  and  a  fine  night's  rest,  which 
seemed  to  sweeten  the  bitter  cup  of  the  day  before. 

Third  day,  28th,  I  had  a  meeting  in  the  neighborhood,  which 
was  pretty  full  for  the  place,  and  a  favored  time,  to  the  tender- 
ing of  many  minds.  Thence  to  Caleb  Barker's,  at  White 
Creek,  where  I  was  received  with  kindness  ;  and  the  day  fol- 
lowing, had  a  small  meeting  in  a  little  village  near.  The  next 
day  I  spent  in  a  social  visit,  much  to  my  satisfaction,  as  it  gave 
me  an  opportunity  to  clear  my  mind,  without  giving  oflfence, 
on  the  subject  of  the  division  among  us.  Thence  I  went  to 
Pittstown,  and  on  my  way,  turned  a  little  aside  to  visit  J.  A. 
I  found  his  wife  a  tender,  well  concerned  Friend,  and  he  a  warm 
Hicksite.  He  cast  many  reflections  on  Friends,  and  some  false 
statements,  which  I  endeavored  to  correct,  but  to  no  satisfac- 
tion to  him.  Observing  this,  I  endeavored  to  close  the  dis- 
course, but  could  not,  for  he  continued  to  bring  up  new  char- 
ges, that  grieved  his  wife,  and  deprived  me  of  the  comfort  I 
hoped  for  in  the  visit.  Seeing  no  prospect  of  its  being  any  bet- 
ter, I  took  leave  of  them,  and  went  to  Micajah  Hunt's.  He  and 
his  wife  were  kind,  faithful  Friends.  I  staid  with  them  all 
night;  and  on  seventh. day,  the  1st  of  8th  month,  I  started  for 
Schaghticoke  Point,  and  the  day  following  I  had  a  meeting  in 
the  South  part  of  Pittstown,  near  one  Slade's,  a  Friend  living 
much  alone ;  it  was  an  humbling,  serious  time  to  me,  which 
appeared  to  be  the  state  of  the  meeting.  The  next  day  we 
went  to  Adams,  and  called  oft  a  Friend  by  the  way,  who  was 
desirous  to  know  the  cause  of  contention.  I  gave  him  all  the 
information  I  could,  which  appeared  to  relieve  him  much.  His 
ears  had  been  filled  with  sentiments  entirely  false.  I  informed 
him  how  and  where  he  might  find  all  that  I  had  stated,  suppor- 
ted by  the  best  authority,  and  I  parted  with  him  in  a  tender 
state  of  mind. 

When  I  arrived  at  Adams,  I  found  that  their  mid  week  meet- 
ing was  on  Fifth  day,  and  that  there  was  a  funeral  of  a  young 
man  who  was  to  be  buried  before  the  meeting.     Notice  of  my 


316  JOURNAL    OF 

being  there  having  been  given,  the  meeting  was  large  ;  many  of 
the  Hicksites  came,  whose  countenances  bade  defiance,  and 
they  appeared  to  be  armed  with  a  coat  of  mail.  There  cham- 
pion came,  and  placed  himself  at  my  right  hand,  and  soon  this 
language  ran  through  my  mind,  "This  is  a  Hicksite  ; "  but  I 
felt  to  my  comfort,  that  his  spirit  could  not  touch  me.  After 
sitting  a  little  in  deep  humility,  I  felt  the  Word  of  Life  to  arise, 
and  in  attending  to  the  Divine  motion,  the  Word  of  Truth  went 
forth  in  the  clearness  of  its  own  authority,  and  arose  into  do- 
minion;— the  power  of  the  Lord  bound  down  that  boasting 
spirit,  the-meeting  became  solemn,  and  ended  quietly ;  I  hope 
to  the  honor  of  Truth  and  the  glory  of  God,  who  is  worthy  of 
honor,  might,  majesty,  and  the  praise  of  all  His  works  forever- 
more  ! 

On  Sixth  day,  I  had  a  meeting  in  Cheshire,  to  pretty  good 
satisfaction  ;  yet  there  was  not  that  openness  in  the  minds  of 
the  people  to  receive  the  Truth,  as  in  some  other  places. — 
Seventh  day,  I  had  a  meeting  in  Adams,  North  Village — a  fa- 
vored season.  Thanks,  honor,  and  praise,  be  ascribed  to  the 
Name  of  the  most  high  God,  for  His  safe,  directing  hand  through 
the  heights  and  depths,  and  for  His  preserving  power,  in  aba- 
sedness  and  aboundings  hitherto  !  First  day,  I  met  with  Friends, 
and  was  favored  to  feel  with  them  in  their  tried  state,  and  had 
a  word  of  encouragement  for  them  to  abide  in  the  patience,  and 
keep  to  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints.  Second  day,  I 
drove  to  Granville,  to  attend  Easton  Quarterly  Meeting,  held 
there.  The  several  sittings  thereof  were  owned  by  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church  ;  the  business  was  conducted  in  harmony 
— a  uniting  solemnity  was  realized  to  the  close,  and  Friends 
parted  from  each  other,  I  trust,  with  thankful  hearts,  for  the  fa- 
vor of  enjoying  our  meetings  without  being  disturbed.  Great 
are  the  favors  of  the  Lord,  continued  to  His  people.  Blessed, 
forever,  be  His  Name ! 

After  meeting,  with  other  Friends,  we  drove  about  twenty 
miles  towards  Easton,  and  on  sixth  day  had  a  meeting  in  a  vil- 
lage,  formerly  called  Whipple  City.      The  opportunity  was 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  3lT 

mucli  to  the  relief  of  my  mind,  and  well  accepted  by  the  peo- 
ple. The  truths  delivered  were  acknowledged  by  them.  After 
meeting,  I  drove  to  Abner  Devol's  and  rested  on  seventh  day. 
First  day,  the  24th,  I  attended  the  small  meeting  of  Friends 
near  Schaghticoke  Point ;  wherein,  to  my  comfort,  and  satis- 
faction, I  found  their  meeting  together,  was  owned  by  the  Head 
of  the  Church — three  families  that  could  not  join  with  the 
Hicksites,  but  met  by  themselves.  On  second  day,  I  went  to 
Little  White  Creek,  and  next  day  had  a  small  meeting  there,  in 
which  I  was  enabled  to  clear  my  mind,  and  left  them  peacefully. 
Fourth  day,  I  went  to  Cambridge,  and  had  a  small  meeting 
at  five  in  the  afternoon.  Here  is  but  one  woman  who  is  a 
Friend,  the  rest  are  Hicksites.  I  went  to  the  house  of  one  of 
them.  At  first  he  appeared  very  pleasant,  and  expressed  his 
gladness  that  I  had  called  on  him,  saying  I  was  welcome.  Af- 
ter some  conversation,  I  informed  him  that  I  came  there  with  a 
prospect  of  having  a  meeting  with  the  people,  if  they  were  wil- 
ling to  meet  with  me,  and  asked  him,  where  he  thought  I  could 
get  a  house.  He  replied,  "  There  is  the  meeting-house."  I 
informed  him  that  I  could  go  into  it  on  my  own  right  agd  no 
other  principle  ;  having  a  right  to  any  Friends'  meeting-house  in 
the  Yearly  Meeting.  This  seemed  to  startle  him  a  little,  yet  he 
said,  "Thou  hast  my  consent  if  the  rest  agree  to  it."  The 
thought  struck  me,  that  I  should  not  get  the  meeting-house, 
and  I  asked  if  there  was  a  school-house  in  the  neighborhood, 
owned  by  different  Societies.  He  said,  there  was  one  near  the 
meeting-house.  I  turned  to  the  young  Friend  with  me,  and 
told  him  to  go  to  the  others  and  find  whether  they  were  will- 
ing for  me  to  go  into  the  meeting-house,  if  I  felt  free  to  do  so ; 
if  not  to  go  to  the  trustees  of  the  school-house,  and  obtain  that 
if  he  could.  The  Hicksite  replied,  "I  am  a  proprietor  and  a 
trustee,  and  will  give  my  consent."  The  young  Friend  went  to 
several,  who  would  neither  fully  deny  nor  consent ;  but  having 
obtained  liberty  to  use  the  school-house,  we  notified  for  the 
meeting.  Near  the  time  appointed,  quite  a  body  of  people 
gathered,  and  stood  in  the  road  before  the  meeting-house ;  and 


318  JOURNAL    OF 

there  in  the  presence  of  many  of  their  neighbors,  they  denied 
us  the  house, -and  we  went  into  the  school-house,  which 
was  soon  filled  and  crowded.  It  proved  a  good  meeting,  and 
the  truths  of  the  Gospel  opened  clearly,  and  flowed  freely. 

Next  morning,  my  host,  after  all  his  pretended  kindness, 
wondered  how  I  could  have  the  confidence  to  come  among  them 
and  want  to  have  a  meeting,  when  I  was  one  of  those  who  had 
disowned  them,  as  believers  in  false  principles.  He  went  on  so 
long,  that  I  found  it  needful  to  exercise  patience,  and  after  he 
got  through,  I  observed,  that  he  must  know  that  Friends  often 
traveled  amongst  other  societies,  and  the  motive  was  to  con- 
vince them  of  their  errors,  and  to  strengthen  that  which  they 
found  to  be  right ;  that  thus  I  had  come  amongst  them.  He 
quickly  answered,  "Thou  hast  not  convinced  me,  for  I  feel 
four  times  as  strong  as  I  did  before."  I  pleasantly  answered 
him,  that  I  did  not  feel  myself  accountable  for  his  not  believing. 
After  some  moderate  discourse,  we  parted.  I  had  not  gone 
far,  before  I  fell  in  with  another  of  the  same  class,  and  soon 
found  that  my  getting  a  meeting  in  the  neighborhood  was  not 
pleasing.  Their  neighbors  being  so  well  satisfied  appeared  to 
perplex  them.  He  asked  me  several  questions,  which  T  ans- 
wered in  a  plain,  simple  manner,  he  seemed  willing  to  let  me 
pass,  and  we  parted  apparently  pleasant.  I  passed  on  to  Job 
Allen's,-^his  wife  is  the  only  Friend  in  that  meeting — and  took 
breakfast,  and  left  without  anything  disagreeable  occurring  at 
that  time,  and  went  to  Pittstown,  to  Micajah  Hunt's,  where  I 
was  confined  for  several  days  by  indisposition. 

In  looking  over  what  I  have  passed  through  the  last  week,  I 
find  deep  cause  to  be  thankfiil  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church, 
for  favoring  me  with  patience  and  ability  to  answer  cavilers  in 
a  way  that  often  disappointed  them ;  and  to  bear  the  tantali- 
zing censures,  with  calmness,  as  though  all  was  fair  weather — a 
thing  I  should  once  have  thought  could  hardly  have  been,  with- 
out having  my  feelings  touched.  The  preservation  of  the  Lord 
to  me  is  marvelous,  and  His  strong  arm  bore  up  and  sustained 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  319 

through  every  trial.     Forever  adored  and  magnified,  be  His 
Holy  Name ! 

On  first  day,  T  had  a  meeting  at  Micajah  Hunt's  house, 
one-fourth  of  a  mile  from  Friend's  Meeting  House ;  it  was 
large  for  that  place,  and  through  Divine  mercy,  a  favored,  ten- 
dering time.  May  the  Lord  bless  it  with  increase  to  His  own 
honor,  and  the  gathering  of  the  people  !  Second  day,  I  drove 
to  Philipstown,  and  called  on  an  aged  aunt,  whom  I  had  not 
seen  for  twenty  years.  The  family  were  glad  to  see  me,  and 
treated  me  with  respectful  kindness.  My  uncle  had  moved 
there  for  the  sake  of  enlarging  his  possessions,  when  he  was 
well  off  before.  Settling  out  from  Friends,  and  pursuing  his 
object — the  increase  of  wealth — ^he  lost  that  love  for  the  Socie- 
ty, and  that  religious  concern  which  he  once  had,  and  fell  into 
weakness,  for  which  he  was  disowned.  His  children  all  left 
Friends ;  and  when  he  deceased,  he  left  them  as  to  property, 
far  short  of  liis  object — a  sentiment  that  I  had  long  entertained, 
livingly  revived  while  I  was  with  them,  that  Friends  ought  to 
have  a  strict  regard  to  its  being  right  for  them  to  move,  as  well 
as  an  eye  to  the  advance  of  their  pecuniary  interest.  When  the 
former  is  neglected,  the  latter  may  be  blasted,  and  families  sus- 
tain great  loss  every  way. 

I  went  next  to  Chatham — not  a  large  meeting — where  most 
had  gone  off  with  the  Hicksites,  except  a  few,  with  whom  I  had 
a  meeting,  and  a  goodly  looking  company  of  their  neighbors 
were  present.  The  meeting  was  favored  and  ended  quietly. — 
From  thence  I  went  to  Ghent,  and  put  up  with  Samuel  Mar- 
riott, and  the  day  following  had  a  full,  satisfactory  meeting  in  a 
school-house ;  the  Hicksites  having  possession  of  the  meeting- 
house. Friends  were  debarred  the  use  of  it.  At  four  in 
the  afternoon  I  had  a  good  meeting  in  Hudson,  to  tlie  comfort 
of  the  honest  hearted.  On  second  day,  I  went  to  Little  Nine 
Partners ;  had  a  meeting  there  on  third  day,  in  Friends  Meeting- 
house ;  a  mixed  gathering,  and  exercising  time ;  yet  the  Lord 
in  mercy  to  the  people,  gave  ability  to  hold  forth  the  truth  of 
the  Gospel  in  clearness ;  the  meeting  was  solid  and  quiet. — 


320  JOURNAL    OF 

Fourth  day,  I  was  at  the  Plains.     Those  who  had  the  oare  of 
giving  notice  of  the  meeting,  being  unfaithful,  the  meeting  was 
very  small.     Fifth  day,  I  attended  Stanford  meeting,  in  course, 
notice  being  given,  that  I  was  expected  there  ;  it  was  well  at- 
tended ;  ability  was  given  to  relieve  my  mind,  so  as  to  enjoy  a 
peaceful  quiet.     Sixth  day,  I  had  a  meeting  at  the  Creek,  my 
native  place  ;  which  was  large,  considering  the  situation  ;  ma- 
ny having  gone  off  with  the  Hicksites,  yet  many  of  their  neigh- 
bors came  in.     It  was  a  favored  time  ;  the  Lord's  presence  was 
sensibly  felt,  to  own  the  little,  stripped  and  tried  company  of  that 
meeting.     Seventh  day,  I  crossed  the  river  at  Hyde  Park,  and 
went  to  Rosendafe.     Attended  that  meeting  on  first  day.     Ma^ 
ny  not  in  membership  with  Friends  were  in  attendance.     My 
mind  was  enlarged,  and  I  was  enabled  to  hold  up  the  standard 
of  Truth  over  the  head  of  boasting  Goliah  and  all  his  host. — 
Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord.     I  am  now  at  Isaiah  Tilsou's, 
seventh  of  9th  mo.     After  this,  I  visited  Paltz,  Plattekill,  and 
Upper  Clove  meetings.     In  all  of  these  I  was  mercifully  ena- 
bled, so  to  clear  my  mind  as  to  feel  well  relieved,  and  the  re- 
ward of  full  showers  of  peaoje,  having  the  evidence  that  Truth 
reigned  over  all  opposition.     Next  I  went  to  Canterberry,  first 
day  of  the  week,  and  had  a  meeting  at  six  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing.    It  was  large  and  crowded,  consisting  of  a  great  mixture, 
among  whom  were  many  hardy  minds,  so  that  the  labor  in  the 
ministry   was  very  trying,  feeling  the  necessity  to  stand   on 
my  feet  a  length  of  time,  and  communicate  to  the  people.     I 
felt  it  return  like  the  rebounding  of  water  cast  against  a  rock, 
refusing  all  penetration  ;  ft  was  so  discouraging,  that  I  fully  be- 
lieve, had  it  not  been  for  the  sake  of  a  better  class  among  them, 
I  should  hav«  been  excused  from  speaking.     I  was  led  to  show 
the  Divine  authority  by  which  the  Holy  Scriptures  were  ush- 
ered into  the  world ;  and  the  abundant  proof  to  substantiate 
them  and  establish  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ ;  also,  to  contrast  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  with  the 
Infidelity  of  the  present  day.    I  had  to  show  that  Infidelity  was 
always  built  on  the  opinions  of  men,  which  had  never  given  any 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  321 

better  proof,  than  the  art  of  sophistry,  and  casting  censures  and 
ridicule  on  the  Christian  religion,  by  which  conduct  they  de- 
ceive the  unwary.  Some  in  the  assembly,  received  the  com- 
munication with  gladness  ;  others  listened  to  it  with  attention ; 
yet  there  appeared  to  be  a  number,  who,  in  all  the  defiance  of 
hardihood  and  confidence,  stood  out  to  the  last.  When  I  sat 
down,  my  shirt  was  wet  to  my  back,  and  I  was  brought  to  re- 
member, that  it  was  the  case  with  my  Lord  many  times,  that 
although  the  people  saw  his  miracles,  they  would  not  believe, 
nor  receive  him.  Although  I  was,  in  the  tender  mercy  of  my 
Lord,  enabled  to  clear  my  mind  of  all  He  gave  me  for  the  peo- 
ple, yet  I  could  but  sorrow  for  those  of  the  unbelieving  class, 
and  parted  with  them  with  a  heavy  heart. 

I  then  went  to  Marlborough,  and  had  a  meeting  with  a 
stripped  few  there ;  it  was  a  time  of  comfort  and  encourage- 
ment, to  the  honest  of  that  place.  1 5th  of  9th  month,  I  at- 
tended a  Monthly  Meeting  at  Poughkeepsie,  and  returned  to 
Samuel  Adam's,  the  16th.  iTthand  18th,  I  lay  by.  19th, 
first  day,  had  a  meeting  at  Clinesopas,  where  a  number  of  the 
Hicksites  came,  I  was  enabled  to  hold  up  the  standard  of 
Truth,  over  the  head  of  the  Hicksite  spirit.  Truth  prevailed 
over  all  opposition.     I  attended  a  meeting  in  the  afternoon 

with ;  he  preached  a  long  sermon,  and  acted  out  a 

deal  of  gesture,  and  I  thought  lessened  the  weight  of  his 
preaching.  The  third  day  following,  the  Monthly  Meeting  was 
held  at  Rosendale  Plains ;  it  was  large  for  that  place,  and  was 
a  humbling,  tendering  time,  to  the  refreshment  of  the  upright. 
Their  business  was  conducted  in  much  harmony.  Fourth  day, 
attended  the  Valley  Monthly  Meeting ;  their  business  was  man- 
aged very  regularly,  and  in  harmony.  My  service  was  some- 
what laborious,  yet  I  was  marvelously  enabled  to  clear  my 
mind,  and  felt  satisfied. 

Fifth  day,  I  attended  Cornwall  Monthly  Meeting,  where  they 
are  much  stripped,  many  having  gone  off*  Avith  the  Hicksites, 
who  had  driven  Friends  out  of  nearly  all  their  meeting-houses 
in  those  parts ;  yet  it  was  a  favored  time  of  renewal  of  strength. 


322  JOURNAL    OF 

The  Holy  presence  of  the  Lord  was  felt  to  be  near  and  pres- 
ent, with  the  few  faithful  sufferers  of  this  place,  to  the  encourag- 
ing of  the  honest-hearted.  Blessed,  and  forever  adored,  be  His 
holy  name,  who  never  said  to  the  wrestHng  seed  of  Jacob,  seek 
ye  My  face  in  vain  !  I  returned  to  the  Valley,  and  on  seventh 
day,  in  company  with  Tristam  Kussell,  went  to  Marmakating 
Hollow,  and  put  up  with  James  Pine,  for  the  night.  First 
day,  the  26th,  we  had  a  meeting  there  to  pretty  good  satisfac- 
tion. Second  day,  we  rode  to  Paul  Horton's,  in  Bethel,  where 
we  had  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  with  the  few  Friends  and 
their  neighbors — a  low  time — the  professors  of  religion  ap- 
peared to  be  much  dried  up,  if  they  were  ever  alive,  in  a  true 
living  concern. 

Third  day,  we  went  to  Mount  Silby,  where  we  had  a  meet- 
ing in  the  Court  House,  at  three,  in  the  afternoon.  It  was 
small ; — it  was  thought  by  Maria  Emley's  having  been  there 
and  preached  Hicksite  doctrine,  which  offended  the  people  of 
the  village,  and  they  concluded  they  would  not  be  imposed  up- 
on— this  shut  up  the  way  for  Friends.  I  found  it  my  duty  to 
set  forth  Friends'  belief  in  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the 
Gospel  in  full,  and  to  state,  that  whosoever  denied  those  doc- 
trines, we,  as  a  people,  had  no  fellowship  with.  From  this, 
we  went  to  Ebenezer  Lounsbury's,  where  we  had  a  full,  good 
meeting  at  evening.  The  truths  of  the  Gospel  flowed  freely  ; 
the  minds  of  the  people  were  open  to  hear ;  it  ended  well.  We 
then  went  to  James  Devine's,  Upper  Navesink  ;  he  and  his 
wife  were  warm  Hicksites,  yet  appeared  earnest  that  we  should 
have  a  meeting  at  their  school-house,  in  the  neighborhood  in 
the  evening,  which  we  complied  with.  It  was  a  full  meeting, 
and  I  was  much  enlarged  in  holding  up  the  doctrines  of  the 
Gospel,  being  led  to  show  that  Grace  and  Truth  came  by 
Jesus  Christ ;  and  Truth  was  over  all  opposition,  and  reigned 
at  that  time.  The  man  and  his  wife  above-mentioned,  attend- 
ed the  meeting,  but  had  kept  their  principles  out  of  sight.  Af- 
ter meeting  we  returned  to  their  house  ;  they  appeared  uneasy 
the  rest  of  the  evening.     Next  morning  early,  they  broke  out 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  223 

with  heavy  censures  and  bitter  reflections  against  Friends, 
mixed  up  with  many  objections  against  our  principles  and  doc- 
trines, and  yet  contrived  to  assert,  that  they  were  Friends. 
After  they  had  nearly  exhausted  themselves,  we  calmly  endeav- 
ored to  show  the  inconsistency  of  their  principles  and  conduct 
as  a  people,  and  parted  with  them  much  more  calm,  than  it 
had  appeared  we  should  be  able  to — a  favor  that  seemed  to 
sweeten  the  bitter. 

We  next  went  to  Daniel  Reynold's,  at  Thunder  Hill.  He  and 
family  were  Hicksites.  They  received  us  with  courtesy,  and 
when  we  opened  our  prospect  of  a  meeting,  it  did  not  discon- 
cert him.  He  sat  calm  a  little,  then  said,  we  were  welcome  to 
the  school-house,  in  which  they  met,  and  of  which  he  was 
chief  owner ;  but  that  he  could  not  assist  us  at  all  in  giving  no- 
tice, as  we  had  disowned  them.  This  honest  conduct  was  so 
to  my  satisfaction,  that  I  felt  better  in  his  house  than  I  did  be- 
fore. The  two  Friends  who  were  with  me,  went  out  and  gave 
pretty  general  notice.  We  had  a  full  favored  meeting  in  the 
evening,  Daniel  and  his  family  mostly  attended.  It  was  easily 
seen  that  Daniel  was  disappointed,  in  seeing  so  many  come  to 
the  meeting ;  yet  he  carried  it  through  courteously,  and  we 
parted  with  them  pleasantly,  and  went  to  Greenfield,  where  I 
appointed  a  meeting,  at  evening,  in  Friends'  meeting-house,  and 
met  with  no  opposition  on  that  account,  though  they  were 
nearly  all  gone  from  Friends.  It  was  large  for  that  place.  I 
felt  my  mind  clothed  with  Gospel  authority,  and  was  led  to 
show,  that  the  spirit  that  confessed  not  that  Jesus  Christ 
has  come  in  the  flesh,  is  not  of  God.  I  was  much  enlarged  in 
the  authority  of  the  everlasting  Truth,  which  was  in  dominion, 
and  prevailed  over  all  gainsaying  spirits. 

We  next  went  to  Benjamin  Birdsall's,  at  Marmakating  Hol- 
low, and  had  a  meeting  at  the  widow  Anna  Penny's,  at  eve- 
ning ;  a  pretty  full  gathering  of  people.  Much  of  the  formal, 
but  little  of  the  life  of  vital  religion,  could  be  realized  among 
them ;  yet  through  Divine  goodness,  I  was  enabled  to  clear  my 
mind  in  a  plain,  sifting  testimony,  to  my  relief,  and  peaceful 


224  JOURNAL    OF 

quiet — a  good  reward.  On  seventh  day  morning,  we  returned 
to  James  Penny's,  very  much  worn  down  with  fatigue,  where  I 
lay  by,  and  rested  on  first  day,  the  5th  of  10th  month.  Sec- 
ond day,  we  went  to  the  Valley  and  lodged  with  Tristam  Rus- 
sel.  Third  day,  I  went  to  sec  the  children  of  the  late  widow 
Heaton,  five  in  number,  all  single.  They  appeared  very  sensi- 
bly to  feel  the  loss  of  their  valuable  parents,  yet  they  were  fa- 
vored to  bear  their  trials,  with  a  good  degree  of  composure  and 
resignation,  which  I  was  glad  to  see ;  yet  my  feelings  were 
tenderly  impressed  in  sympathy  for  and  with  them.  Fourth 
day,  I  attended  Platte  Hill  Meeting,  where  I  was  favored  feel- 
ingly to  sjrmpathise  with  that  small  meeting,  in  the  loss  of  two 
valuable  pillars,  as  the  two  before  mentioned  Friends  were. 
Fifth  day,  I  attended  the  Valley  Meeting,  where  they  had  un- 
dergone severe  trials  and  siftings ;  yet,  there  was  that  remain- 
ing, that  kept  the  pure  spring  of  life  from  a  free  circulation, 
and  caused  the  innocent  life  to  suffer.  I  was  enabled  to  clear 
my  mind  to  full  satisfaction. 

Sixth  day,  I  went  to  Blooming  Grove,  and  attended  that 
meeting  on  first  day,  where  there  was  much  rubbish.  Strength 
was  given  sufficient  for  the  day,  and  utterance  to  clear  my 
mind,  so  as  to  feel  a  peaceful  quiet.  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  for 
His  sustaining  help,  and  holy  guidance  !  Second  day,  I  went 
to  Smith  Glove,  to  James  Hazard's,  where  I  had  a  full,  crowded 
meeting.  In  the  fore  part  of  it,  I  felt  stripped  in  spirit,  but  la- 
boring to  be  patient  and  resigned  to  the  Lord's  will,  I  felt  a 
gentle  spring  of  the  Gospel  to  open  in  clearness.  As  I  attend- 
ed to  it,  it  became  as  a  river  that  a  man  could  swim  in.  Truth 
arose  in  dominion,  its  standard  was  set  up  by  the  help  and 
strength  of  Israel's  Shepherd.     Blessed  forever,  be  His  name ! 

I  returned  to  the  Valley,  to  attend  the  Quarterly  Meeting. 
The  several  sittings  thereof  were  owned  by  the  holy  Shepherd 
of  Israel,  to  the  strengthening  and  encouraging  of  the  right 
minded.  I  returned  to  the  Clove  again,  and  had  a  large  meet- 
ing in  the  Methodist  meeting-house;  the  people  were  sober 
and  attentive — a  favored  time,  through  the  continued  mercy  of 


JOSEPH    HOAG.  325 

the  blessed  Shepherd  of  Israel !  We  then  went  to  William 
Conklin's,  in  Conegat,  who  had  gone  with  the  Hicksites,  but 
was  more  mild  than  many  I  had  met  with  before.  He  enter- 
tained us  kindly.  I  informed  him  we  came  with  a  view  of 
holding  a  meeting  in  that  place,  if  the  people  were  disposed  to 
meet  with  us  ;  and  asked  him,  where  he  thought  a  house  could 
be  had.  He  said,  there  was  the  meeting-house,  that  I  could 
have.  I  told  him  I  could  not  go  into  it  on  any  other  princi- 
ple than  my  own  right,  for  I  considered  I  had  not  forfeited  my 
right  in  any  house  in  the  Yearly  Meeting,  nor  had  the  Friends 
that  I  fellowshipped  with.  He  answered,  he  thought  I  had  as 
good  a  right  as  ever,  and  I  was  welcome  to  the  use  of  it.  The 
meeting  was  held  in  it,  and  largely  attended  by  Friends, 
Hicksites  and  their  neighbors  ;  it  was  to  the  relief  of  my  mind, 
as  my  Master  furnished  me  with  ability,  and  utterance  to  hold 
up  the  truths  of  the  Gospel ;  and  to  show  the  cloud  of  wit- 
nesses, that  ever  had  and  ever  would  accompany  and  sustain 
the  Gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ.  We  next 
went  to  Harristown,  where  there  were  but  two  members,  and 
some  friendly  people,  who  were  under  discouragement,  on  ac- 
count of  the  confusion  among  Friends.  We  had  a  meeting 
with  them,  which  seemed  to  raise  their  drooping  heads. 

My  stopping  here  so  detained  me,  that  I  did  not  get  to  the 
Quarterly  meeting  in  New  York,  where  I  wanted  to  be,  until 
the  parting  meeting;  where  I  had  the  company  of  many  of  my 
Friends,  enjoying  the  comforting  holy  presence  of  the  dear 
Master  of  the  true  Israel  of  our  assemblies.  After  meeting  I 
went  to  Flushing,  on  Long  Island,  and  put  up  with  Walter 
Farrington,  the  2 2d  of  10th  month,  and  had  a  pretty  full  meet- 
ing for  the  place,  at  evening,  in  their  new  meeting-house,  which 
the  few  Friends  who  staid  faithful,  had  built ;  having  been 
dispossesed  of  their  former  house  by  the  Hicksites.  Friends 
had  well  accommodated  themselves  with  a  good  one,  where 
they  could  meet  together  in  the  quiet.  Each  one  sat  under 
his  vine  and  fig  tree,  and  none  to  disturb.  I  was  comforted  in 
being  with  them,  and  glad  to  find  them  cheerfully  resigned  to 


226  JOURNAL    OF 

their  condition.  I  think  they  possess  their  souls  in  the  quiet. 
First  day,  I  attended  Westbury  meeting,  in  their  new  meet- 
ing house ;  they  were  similarly  situated  as  their  brethren  at 
Flushing.  The  meeting  was  larger  than  was  expected,  as  many 
of  their  neighbors  came  in  and  sat  with  us,  in  a  sober,  solid 
way.  Truth  spread  over  the  meeting  to  the  tendering  of  many 
minds,  and  comforting  of  the  few  faithful  Friends  there,  who 
have  been  deep  suflferers  in  the  great  convulsion  among  us. 
At  four  in  the  afternoon,  I  had  a  meeting  at  Thomas  Willis',  in 
Jericho ;  Friends  being  also  deprived  of  their  house,  and  but 
few  Friends  left.  The  meeting  was  larger  than  I  had  reason 
to  expect.  The  great  Head  of  the  Church  was  pleased  to  fa- 
vor with  His  holy  presence  in  the  midst,  to  the  comforting  to- 
gether of  the  upright  in  heart.  I  then  crossed  to  the  Main,  and 
attended  Purchase  Quarterly  Meeting.  The  several  sittings 
were  owned  by  the  great  Head  of  the  Church ;  His  presence 
being  sensibly  felt  amongst  us.  The  business  was  conducted 
with  weight,  condescension  and  solemnity,  to  the  satisfaction 
and  comfort  of  many.  At  the  closing  meeting,  it  pleased  the 
righteous,  holy  Shepherd  of  the  flock,  to  favor  His  little  ones, 
with  a  small  portion  of  the  best  wine,  to  the  strengthening  of  the 
weak,  and  raising  in  hope,  the  heads  that  hung  down.  For- 
ever praised  and  blessed,  be  His  holy  name  ! 

After  meeting,  I  went  to  Lot  Birdsall's,  where  I  lodged,  in 
Shapaqua,  the  29th  of  10th  month.  The  day  following  I  had 
a  meeting  there.  Then  at  Croton  Valley,  Peekskill,  Croton 
and  Salem ;  in  all  which  it  pleased  the  head  of  the  Church  to 
favor  with  His  holy  presence,  and  to  comfort  His  tried  ones. 
From  Salem,  I  went  to  Purchase  to  attend  that  Monthly  Meet- 
ing ;  it  was  small,  yet  favored.  Their  business  was  conducted 
in  harmony,  and  I  think  in  the  right  life.  The  next  day  I  was 
at  Shapaqua  Monthly  Meeting.  I  think  it  is  not  quite  as  much 
reduced  by  the  division  as  the  Purchase ;  they  also  did  their 
business  in  condescension.  The  following  day  I  was  at  Ama- 
walk  Monthly  Meeting ;  it  was  larger  than  I  expected  to  find 
it ;  their  business  was  guardedly  conducted  in  condescension. 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  327 

In  all  those  meetings,  the  presence  of  the  holy  Head  of  the 
Church,  was  felt  to  be  the  strength  of  His  people,  and  the  lift- 
ing up  the  hands  that  hung  down. 

I  then  turned  and  went  to  Westchester,  and  put  up  with 
Lindley  More,  on  seventh  day  evening,  where  I  staid  over  first 
day,  and  attended  that  meeting.  Friends  had  been  driven  out 
of  their  meeting-hguse,  and  it  was  then  held  in  Lindley  More's 
house ;  where  it  pleased  the  Beloved  of  souls  to  fulfill  His 
promise,  that  where  two  or  three  are  gathered  in  His  name, 
there  He  would  be  in  the  midst  of  them.  I  continued  atLind- 
ley's  on  second  day.  Third  day,  the  iVth,  I  went  back  to 
Long  Island.  Fourth  day  I  attended  Westbury  and  Jericho 
Monthly  Meeting,  which  was  small,  owing  to  dissension  from 
our  principles ;  yet  their  business  was  conducted  in  good  order. 

Fifth  day,  the  19th,  I  went,  in  company  with  John  Titus,  to 
Bethpage,  with  the  prospect  of  having  a  meeting  with  the  peo- 
ple ;  but  we  found  that  all  who  had  been  Friends,  were  now 
Hicksites.  We  met  with  a  cool  reception,  and  no  way  opened 
for  a  meeting  until  I  was  near  giving  out,  when  calling  at  the 
house  of  one  not  of  our  Society,  I  informed  him  of  our  desire  ; 
but  he  not  readily  giving  an  answer,  I  observed  that  I  thought 
it  best  to  be  honest,  and  let  him  know  how  I  stood,  desiring 
him  to  be  free.  With  a  smile  he  said,  "I  am  willing  to  open 
my  house  for  any  good  minister,  and  a  meeting  may  be  held 
in  it."  The  day  being  considerably  passed,  we  concluded  to 
have  it  in  the  evening  ;  this  man  was  ready  and  active  in  giving 
notice.  It  was  a  favored  opportunity,  and  larger  than  we  ex- 
pected. On  sixth  day,  we  parted  with  the  family,  who  appear- 
ed loving,  and  the  man  expressed  a  desire,  that  if  ever  I  came 
that  way  again,  I  should  call  on  him,  adding  that  his  house 
and  heart  were  open  for  such  Friends. 

I  then  returned  to  Westbury,  where  Eichard  Mott  had  an 
appointed  meeting,  in  which  he  was  favored ;  it  was  large  for 
that  place.  Seventh  day,  I  returned  to  Flushing,  and  on  first 
day,  2 2d,  returned  to  the  city,  and  attended  their  morning 
meeting,  silent.     In  the  afternoon,  way  opened  to   clear  my 


328  JOURNAL    OF 

mind  fully,  and  felt  great  peace.  On  fifth  day,  I  attended  Sha^ 
paqua  meeting,  and  after  it  drove  to  Salem,  and  put  up  wiUi 
M.  Smith.  Seventh  day,  I  went  to  New  Milford,  where  I  met 
with  John  and  Elizabeth  Meader,  (she  is  ray  youngest  daugh- 
ter but  one  ;)  ^^ey  were  on  a  religious  visit.  We  all  attended 
that  meeting  on  first  day.  It  was  a  large  and  good  meeting. 
We  then  went  to  the  Branch,  to  an  evening  meeting  appointed 
for  them.  The  members  having  nearly  ^11  left  Friends,  th* 
meeting  was  small,  yet  favored  to  feel  the  presence  of  Him  who 
promised  He  would  be  in  the  midst,  when  two  or  three  are 
gathered  in  His  name.  Second  day  evening,  we  had  a  meeting 
on  the  Hill,  which  was  small  fi-om  the  same  cause,  yet  there 
were  a  few,  who  stood  firm  in  the  true  faith.  With  these  we 
had  a  comfortable  meeting,  and  went  to  Peter  Dakin's  togeth- 
er, where  we  staid  until  fourth  day  morning,  when  we  parted, 
and  I  went  to  Beakman.  On  fifth  day,  attended  that  meeting, 
and  £|b  evening  had  a  meeting  at  Isaac  Flagler's.  Sixth  day 
evening,  had  a  meeting  at  Poughkeepsie,  and  seventh  day 
evening  I  had  one  at  Pleasant  Valley.  In  all  these,  it  pleased 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church  to  give  ability  to  relieve  my 
mind  of  all  that  He  required,  so  as  to  feel  quiet  and  peaceful. 

First  day,  I  attended  Oswego  meeting.  It  was  small,  owing 
to  the  great  division  that  had  taken  place  ;  yet  it  was  owned 
by  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  and  we  were  comforted  to- 
gether. From  here  I  went  into  my  old  neighborhood,  and 
spent  most  of  the  week  in  social  visits  to  my  former  neighbors 
and  relatives.  Seventh  day  evening,  I  had  a  meeting  east  of 
Stanford,  at  the  house  of  a  Friend  by  the  name  of  Bartlett. 
First  day,  attended  Nine  Partners  meeting,  with  the^  few 
Friends  who  had  survived  the  rent  in  that  place,  and  had  kept 
together  in  the  truth.  Through  the  continuance  of  Divine  fa- 
vor, we  had  a  comfortable  and  encouraging  time.  Third  day 
I  went  to  Silas  Downing's,  in  Pleasant  Valley,  in  order  to  at- 
tend Beakman  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Poughkeepsie,  the 
16th  of  12th  month.  It  was  much  larger  than  I  expected — a 
solid,  comfortable  meeting.     The  business  was  conducted  with 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  329 

candor  and  harmony,  and  it  was  pleasant  to  be  with  them. 
17th,  I  attended  Nine  Partners  Monthly  Meeting,  which  was 
small;  yet  there  were  several  valuable  Friends  belonging  to 
that  meeting.  I  was  entirely  shut  up  as  to  any  public  labor, 
without  material  suffering,  further  than  to  taste  the  low  strip- 
ped feeling,  the  faithful  had  to  bear  up  under.  Friends  were 
favored  at  this  time  with  the  company  of  our  aged  Friend, 
Matthew  Ferris,  from  Oblong,  who  bore  a  short  testimony  that 
was  comforting. 

The  eighteenth  attended  the  Creek  Monthly  Meeting,  and 
found  it  larger  than  I  expected.  When  I  came  to  sit  down 
with  them,  to  my  comfort,  I  soon  found  my  spirit  mingling 
with  the  spirits  of  a  number  who  were  travailing  under  exer- 
cise, of  a  faithful  concern  for  the  cause  of  Truth  and  righteous- 
ness. It  was  a  good  meeting ;  for  where  there  is  a  faithful  rem- 
nant, the  Lord  will  never  suffer  his  standard  to  fall  to  the  ground. 
Their  business  was  conducted  lively,  and  in  gdod  order. 
Seventh  day,  I  attended  Stanford  Monthly  Meeting ;  it  was  fa- 
vored ;  they  conducted  their  business  pretty  regularly,  and  in  a 
good  degree  of  harmony.  First  day,  the  20th,  attended  the 
little  meeting  at  the  Plains,  where  my  Master  put  on  the  whole 
armor,  and  Truth  went  forth  victoriously.  May  it  prove  a  last- 
ing blessing  to  the  people,  and  honor  to  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church,  for  to  Him  it  is  due  !  In  the  evening,  I  had  a  meet- 
ing, at  the  Plains  Village,  which  consisted  of  a  mixed  multitude, 
and  was  much  unsettled  in  the  fore  part  of  it.  It  was  trying 
to  my  feelings  to  appoint  that  meeting,  and  I  sat  feeling  very 
poor  in  spirit,  and  much  stripped  for  a  length  of  time,  which 
tried  my  faith,  and  brought  me  into  a  close  exercise,  fearing  I 
had  not  done  right  in  making  that  appointment.  After  awhile, 
I  was  favored  to  get  into  a  quiet,  resigned  state,  and  soon  felt  a 
gentle  motion  to  rise  on  my  feet,  accompanied  with  a  clear 
opening.  I  attended  to  it,  but  had  to  move  slowly,  and  look 
well  to  my  stepping  stones,  and  was  favored  to  experience  the 
little  stream  that  only  came  about  the  ankles,  to  become  a  stream 
to  swim  in.  The  meeting  became  settled,  and  the  people  sat 
21 


330  JOURNAL   OF 

remarkably  still,  for  some  time  before  I  took  ray  seat,  and  con- 
tinued quiet  until  the  meeting  closed,  and  I  felt  a  comfortable 
hope  through  the  blessing  of  a  kind  Providence,  the  meeting 
would  be  of  use  to  them. 

Second  day,  I  went  to  Nathan  Case's,  my  brother-in-law. 
Third  day,  I  desired  to  see  another  brother-in-law.  It  came 
into  my  mind  to  take  my  own  horse  and  carriage.  Nathan 
urged  me  to  let  my  horse  rest,  and  he  would  take  one  of  his 
that  was  gentle,  and  go  with  me.  I  gave  up  to  him  with  reluc- 
tance. We  had  rode  but  little  over  a  mile,  before  his  horse 
took  fright  going  down  a  long  hill,  and  bounded  at  such  a  rate 
that  our  lives  were  in  danger.  I  endeavored  to  clear  myself 
from  the  wagon  as  well  as  I  could,  but  fell  on  the  frozen  ground 
and  cut  one  side  of  my  face  exceedingly,  and  it  bled  freely,  and 
I  was  other  ways  wounded.  When  I  came  to  my  recollection, 
I  remembered  the  first  impression  I  felt,  to  take  my  own  horse, 
now  I  had  to  repent  being  persuaded  from  it,  as  I  have  done  in 
many  other  instances  in  my  life,  and  left  to  suffer  for  it.  I  was 
confined  several  days,  and  had  to  endure  severe  pain.  I  so  far 
recovered  by  first  day,  that  I  attended  meeting  with  a  very  sore 
head ;  yet  in  it  had  to  bear  a  relieving  testimony  to  my  mind. 
I  put  up  with  Nathaniel  Mead.  On  second  day,  I  drove  to 
Hudson,  and  lodged  at  Isaac  Hall's,  son  of  John  Hall  of  Eng- 
land— a  valuable  minister,  with  whom  I  became  acquainted 
when  he  was  on  a  religious  visit  in  America  in  1801.  It  was 
truly  comforting  to  meet  with  his  children,  finding  them  to  be 
such  Friends  as  I  like  to  be  in  company  with.  I  staid  with 
them  on  third  day,  in  order  to  attend  an  evening  meeting  in 
Hudson.  The  meeting  was  larger  than  I  expected,  and  proved 
a  favored  time,  though  trying  in  the  fore  part ;  being  much 
stripped  in  spirit,  and  under  great  poverty  for  a  length  of  time, 
until  there  was  an  opening  in  the  clear  light,  in  the  appearance 
of  a  bright  star ;  accompanied  with  a  gentle  motion  to  arise  on 
my  feet.  In  attending  to  it,  the  Gospel  spring  arose  to  a  for- 
cible stream,  and  through  the  tender  mercy  of  the  Lord  to  the 
people,  it  ran  clear  and  free,  and  settled  on  the  people  like  the 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  331 

dew  on  the  tender  herbs.     May  it  rest  long  on  them,  and  prove 
a  blessing  to  them  !  * 

The  day  following,  I  drove  to  Stanton  Hill — fifteen  miles. — 
I  had  to  cross  Coxsackie  Flatfe>  a  number  of  miles,  where  the 
mire  was  equal  to  anything  I  ever  met  with.  It  took  me  near- 
ly all  day  to  get  to  Thomas  Bedell's,  where  I  put  up  the  last 
day  of  the  year  1829.  The  first  day  of  the  year  1830,  I  had  a 
large  meeting  at  Coeyman's.  The  next  day  at  New  Baltimore, 
and  the  day  following,  had  a  meeting  at  Isaac  Babcock's,  in 
Renselaer,  and  another  in  the  evening  at  Rensselarville ;  all  of 
them  large  meetings,  and  several  of  them  were  attended  by  a 
number  of  Hicksites.  In  the  last,  I  felt  the  life  and  power  of 
the  Gospel  to  rise  higher,  and  more  powerfiil  than  I  had  in  all 
this  journey  before.  Ability  was  given  to  open  and  hold  forth 
the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  and  contrast  them  with  Infidelity, 
with  such  clearness,  that  I  met  with  no  opposition.  The  pow- 
er of  the  Lord  so  came  over  the  people,  that  they  were  quiet  in 
every  meeting,  and  closed  under  a  sensible  feeling  of  solemnity. 
It  was  the  Lord's  doings.  Blessed,  forever,  be  His  Name,  and 
greatly  magnified  be  His  glory  ! 

After  the  last  meeting,  I  went  to  Middlebury,  expecting  that 
an  appointment  was  given  out  at  that  place ;  but  when  we  ar- 
rived. Friends  had  heard  nothing  of  it,  and  appointed  one  for 
the  evening.  The  time  being  short  to  give  notice,  and  the 
weather  unfavorable,  the  meeting  was  small,  yet  favored  and 
comfortable ;  but  not  seeing  the  people  as  I  expected,  I  thought 
best  to  make  another  appointment,  and  give  time  for  notice. 
The  weather  still  being  unfavorable,  this  meeting  was  not  large, 
but  the  presence  of  the  holy  Shepherd  was  felt  amongst  us.  f 
Next  I  went  to  Oak  Hill,  and  had  a  meeting  in  Friend's  meet- 
ing-house, on  seventh  day,  which  was  a  considerable  gathering, 
and  Truth  reigned  over  all.  On  first  day,  I  met  with  the  few 
who  remained  with  Friends,  at  Stephen  Bull's  ;  Friends  being 
deprived  of  the  meeting-house  on  the  usual  days  and  hours. 
I  had  a  third  meeting  at  the  fourth  hour  in  the  afternoon. 


A 


332  JOURNAL    OF 

about  three  miles  from  the  meeting-hiouse.  It  was  large,  and 
through  Divine  mercy,  a  favored,  tendering  time. 

Second  day,  we  crossed  the  Highlands  for  Otsego ;  but  the 
weather  being  very  cold,  I  suffered  much,  and  put  up  several 
miles  short  of  what  I  intended.  Third  day,  I  got  in  amongst 
Friends,  and  on  fourth  day,  I  attended  their  mid-week  meeting 
in  silence.  I  also  attended  Joseph  Bowne's  meeting  that  eve- 
ning in  the  village ;  it  was  large,  and  Joseph  was'  well  harness- 
ed for  the  occasion,  with  a  lively,  appropriate  testimony.  Fifth 
day,  the  14th  of  1st  month,  I  went  to  OUver  Gorton's,  in  Bur- 
lington, and  had  a  full,  favored  meeting  there ;  then  went  to 
Butternuts,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day.  Notice 
being  given  that  I  was  to  be  there,  it  was  large,  and  the  Gos- 
pel spring  arose  with  strength  and  energy,  and  flowed  freely  to 
a  mixed  multitude.  Through  the  tender  mercy  of  the  Lord  it 
appeared  to  settle  on  the  people  like  the  dew  on  the  tender 
grass.     May  it  rest  long  on  them ! 

^  I  then  went  to  Laurens,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on  third 
day,  which  was  a  large,  mixed  gathering,  and  an  exercising 
time.  Holy  help  was  granted ;  strength  and  utterance  were 
given  to  go  through  the  labor  of  the  day,  greatly  to  the  relief 
of  my  mind,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  my  Friends.  I  then 
went  to  Crumhorn,  in  company  with  Moses  Hoag,  where  there 
was  a  small,  divided  meeting — the  few  Friends  were  in  low 
spirits  ;  to  whom  it  was  a  cordial  visit  in  a  needful  time,  which 
seemed  to  raise  their  drooping  heads.  I  was  led  to  show  to  a 
number  of  Hicksites  present,  the  want  of  foundation  and  proof 
to  support  the  doctrine  they  held  forth,  and  the  great  cloud  of 

itnesses,  there  was  in  favor  of  the  doctrines  professed  by 
George  Fox  and  his  cotemporaries.  Truth  evidently  rose  into 
dominion,  through  the  mighty  power  of  the  Lord  to  whom 
may  all  the  praise  be  given,  forevermore  ! 

Next  I  was  at meeting,  which  was  small   and  weak, 

there  being  too  much  lukewarmness  among  them.  I  had  close, 
plain  labor  with  them ;  especially  on  account  of  their  not  ta- 
king their  children  to  meeting  when  small,  yet  large  enough 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  333 

to  behave  well ;  also  letting  their  children  run  about  on  first 
days.  I  was  led  to  show  the  responsibility  that  devolved  on 
parents  towards  their  children,  and  the  most  certain  effects  that 
follow  the  neglect  of  those  duties ;  such  as  their  leaving  our  So- 
ciety and  running  into  prodigality,  if  not  into  all  manner  of 
evil ;  which  some  of  them  acknowledged  was  already  the  case. 
O,  may  the  Lord  in  mercy  remember  the  poor,  neglected  chil- 
dren. 

We  returned  to  Laurens,  and  I  went  to  James  Brown's,  on 
seventh  day;  he  and  Andrew  Hoag  accompanied  me  to 
Bridgewater,  and  put  up  with  Obadiah  Williams,  who  was  very 
low  in  spirits,  on  account  of  the  sad  division  that  had  taken 
place  in  that  meeting.  He  was  not  willing  that  any  notice 
should  be  given  of  our  arrival,  as  he  thought  it  would  do  no 
good,  and  that  Friends'  credit  was  so  low,  that  nobody  would 
come  to  meeting.  However,  notice  was  given,  and  there  came 
a  gathering  of  respectable  looking  people,  besides  Friends,  and 
we  had  a  comfortable  meeting  together,  so  that  our  disconso- 
late Friend  seemed  cheered  up,  acknowledging  the  propriety 
of  the  movement.  Second  day,  we  drove  to  Utica,  and  put  up 
at  Zeno  Carpenter's.  He  and  his  wife  not  being  at  home,  I 
was  disappointed  of  their  company,  for  I  wished  to  see  them. 
I  staid  one  day,  and  had  a  meeting  in  fhe  evening,  which  was 
pretty  full,  and  consisted  of  almost  every  description  in  that 
part  of  the  land.  It  was  a  deeply  exercising  meeting,  yet 
through  Divine  mercy,  holy  help  was  granted  to  clear  my 
mind  in  a  peaceful  way. 

After  meeting,  I  had  a  visit  from  a  Hicksite,  who  reproved 
me  for  taking  so  much  time  in  supporting  that  Jesus  of  Nazar- 
eth, who  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  that  He  was  the 
very  Christ,  and  not  a  divided  Christ.  He  asserted  that  the 
body  of  Christ  did  nothing  for  him,  and  that  His  blood,  shed 
so  long  ago,  he  believed  was  of  no  more  use  than  another  man's. 
I  thought  best  to  bring  the  subject  to  a  point.  I  replied,  "  I 
perceive  we  do  not  both  serve  one  Christ."  He  said  he  be- 
lieved in  Christ  within  as  much  as  I  did;  but  Christ  without, 


334  JOURNAL  OF 

he  did  not  believe  in.  I  answered,  "  I  believe  in  that  Jesus 
Christ  who  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  at  whose  birth 
the  Angel  of  God  announced,  that  in  Judea,  a  child  is  born,  a 
Savior  given,  which  is  Christ,  the  Lord ;  and  that  it  was  known 
by  many,  that  His  spirit  was  an  all-powerful  spirit,  and  very 
clearly  bore  witness  to  Him,  and  to  the  Scriptures,  that  they 
were  a  true  revelation  of  God.  I  perceived  that  his  Christ  was 
never  manifest  in  the  flesh,  and  therefore  was  anti-Christ;  and 
he  always  contradicted  the  revelation  of  the  Christ  of  God  ;  he 
did  it  to  our  first  parents,  and  told  them  they  should  not  surely 
die,  and  of  course  he  made  his  followers,  like  himself,  con- 
tradictors of  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  of  God,  and  accusers  of 
the  brethren ;  while  Christ  taught  His  followers  to  be  patient, 
and  endure  all  things  for  His  and  the  Gospel's  sake."  This 
stopped  him  for  awhile,  but  he  resumed  the  subject,  saying,  "  I 
had  not  unity  with  the  first  part  of  thy  sermon — the  last 
of  it,  I  had  unity  with."  I  pleasantly  replied,  "  It  is  a  fine 
thing  that  I  am  not  accountable  to  such  a  man  as  thou,  but  to 
Him  who  overrules  all."  He  stopped,  which  gave  me  an  op- 
portunity to  clear  my  mind  faithfully,  and  we  parted. 

I  then  set  forward  for  home,  and  went  by  the  way  of  Green- 
field, attending  their  first  day  meeting,  where  it  pleased  the 
Master  of  Israel's  assemblies,  to  raise  the  standard  of  Truth  over 
all  opposition,  and  to  silence  the  gainsaying  tongue,  to  the 
praise  of  His  own  name.  I  passed  on  to  Queensbury,  and  at- 
tended that  Monthly  Meeting,  and  had  a  little  acceptable  ser- 
vice therein,  and  had  the  satisfaction  to  see  them  conduct  their 
business  in  much  harmony.  I  found  them  not  so  much  re- 
duced by  the  division  as  in  some  other  places.  Thence  I  went 
directly  home,  where  I  arrived  the  Yth  of  second  month,  1830, 
and  found  my  own  particular  family  well ;  but  my  mother  and 
my  youngest  brother  had  died  in  my  absence ;  also,  an  aged 
woman,  out  of  my  own  house. 


lU 


CHAPTER  XII. 
About  the  middle  of  5th  month,  1831,  having  obtained  the 
approbation  of  my  Friends,  I  set  out  for  the  Yearly  Meeting  to 
be  held  in  Rhode  Island.  Spring  being  unusually  wet,  the 
roads  were  so  mirey,  it  took  me  two  days  to  accomplish  one 
day's  travel.  Having  broken  my  wagon,  I  lay  by  on  seventh 
day,  in  Montpelier,  and  repaired ;  attended  meeting  there  on 
first  day,  where  a  disowned  person  had  undertaken  to  keep 
possession  of  the  Meeting  house,  by  taking  the  upper  seat  in 
the  men's  room.  I  felt  no  freedom  to  give  it  up  to  him,  hav- 
ing got  there  first,  I  took  my  usual  seat ;  several  foUowaid. 
When  he  came,  he  walked  to  the  upper  seat,  and  made  several 
motions  for  me  to  give  place  to  him,  but  not  noticing  with  that 
attention  he  desired,  he  stepped  into  the  women's  apartment, 
and  seated  himself  at  the  head  of  their  part  of  the  meeting, 
which  put  the  meeting  into  a  jostle,  which  it  did  not  get  fiilly 
over,  though  the  latter  part  of  it  became  measurably  setttled. 
Second  day,  I  moved  on  for  Sandwich,  in  New  Hampshire.  It 
still  being  rainy  and  the  roads  mirey,  it  took  me  two  days  to 
cross  the  Mountains.  The  fatigue  was  so  great,  I  feared  I 
should  ruin  my  horse ;  yet  we  were  favored  to  get  through  one 
day  before  Monthly  Meeting,  which  gave  an  opportunity  to 
rest.  I  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting.  There  my  Master  set 
me  to  digging  about  some  old  fruitless  fig  trees,  which  ap- 
peared when  viewed  at  a  distance,  fair  and  flourishing,  but 
when  thoroughly  inspected,  no  appearance  of  frait  could  be 
seen.  A  laborious  day  to  me.  The  Good  Master  was  pleased 
to  grant  Holy  Help,  so  that  I  relieved  my  mind,  and  gained 
my  penny.     The  next  meeting  I  attended,  was  at  Wolfsborough, 


336  JOURNAL    OF 

on  first  day,  where  I  was  set  at  pruning  and  digging  about.  I 
found  it  required  care  and  close  application,  to  do  the  work  to 
my  Master's  acceptance  and  my  comfort.  After  the  close  of 
this  meeting,  my  Master  gave  me  the  garment  of  praise  for  the 
spirit  of  heaviness.  I  then  went  and  lodged  with  Jacob  Bean, 
and  appointed  a  meeting  among  the  Baptist  inhabitants  of  that 
place,  where  the  Lord's  favor  was  sensibly  felt  to  solemnize  the 
minds  of  the  people.     Blessed  be  His  holy  name ! 

Thence  to  David  Dows,  in  Pittsfield,  intending  to  attend 
Salem  Quarterly  Meeting ;  but  not  being  correctly  informed, 
I  fell  behind  the  time  of  holding  it,  which  was  no  small  disap- 
pointment to  me ;  yet  I  was  favored  to  be  resigned  to  the  event, 
without  repining  or  reflecting  on  my  Friends;  desiring  that 
their  care  in  future  may  prevent  the  like  taking  place  again. 

I  next  went  to  Henniker,  where  1  had  a  pretty  full  meeting, 
which  was  painfully  exercising,  under  a  sense  of  a  worldly  spir- 
it with  parents,  that  caused  them  to  neglect  their  duty  to  their 
children,  in  teaching  them  the  principles  of  Truth  and  the  fear 
of  the  Lord  ;  an  evil  much  to  be  lamented  in  our  Society,  and 
hard  to  be  removed  by  reason  of  unbelief.  This  class  settle 
down  in  the  form  of  godliness,  and  many  of  them  are  very  zeal- 
ous in  the  form,  but  having  nothing  of  the  power  thereof,  are  a 
grievous  burden  to  Society ;  for  when  parents  feed  their  chil- 
dren with  what  they  love,  and  teach  them  what  they  admire, 
thus  the  old  Pharisee  educated  the  young  to  follow  his  steps, 
and  these  become  a  burden  to  the  next  generation.  The 
mourning  women  were  called  on,  to  teach  their  daughters 
wailing. 

The  following  day,  I  attended  Ware  North  meeting ;  it  was 
large.  Here,  infidelity,  under  the  plain  coat,  stared  me  in  the 
face,  with  all  its  attendant  evils;  into  which  subject  I  was 
largely  led  ;  the  power  of  Truth  came  over  this  hard-faced  gi- 
ant, and  cast  him  down ;  the  standard  of  Truth  was  raised 
above  all  opposition,  to  the  everlasting  honor  of  the  God  of  the 
just  of  all  generations,  who  giveth  strength  to  the  weak,  and 
tumeth  the  battle  to  the  gate.     I  next  attended  Ware  South 


JOSEPH   HOAO.  337 

meeting,  which  was  also  large,  wherein  it  appeared  that  too 
many  who  had  known  better  days,  were  settled  down  at  ease 
and  the  young  people  going  into  the  air.  I  had  to  sound  the 
alarm  amongst  them,  to  the  relief  of  my  mind ;  yet  I  could  but 
look  over  to  the  young  people  with  a  heart  impressed  with 
sorrow,  to  see  how  Tittle  help  they  had  from  those,  who  ought 
to  have  been  nursing  fathers  and  mothers.  Thence  to  Salem, 
where  I  arrived  the  4th  of  6th  month,  on  seventh  day,  and 
lodged  with  Enoch  Page.  I  attended  that  meeting  on  first 
day,  the  5th,  in  the  forenoon,  and  Lynn  in  the  afternoon ;  both 
were  favored,  satisfactory  meetings. 

I  then  went  direct  to  Rhode  Island,  to  attend  the  Yearly 
Meeting  of  New  England,  which  was  large.  The  business  was 
conducted  in  harmony,  and  favored  with  the  greatest  degree  of 
solemnity,  from  beginning  to  the  end,  of  any  Yearly  Meeting  I 
ever  attended,  and  ended  under  a  humbling,  thankful  sense  of 
the  unmerited  favor  of  the  Lord,  continued  to  His  Church  and 
people  everywhere.  On  first  day,  I  attended  a  meeting  on  the 
Island,  and  at  Tiverton,  in  the  afternoon,  and  went  to  Edward 
Wing's.  My  youngest  son  being  on  a  religious  visit  in  those 
parts,  without  suitable  company,  I  traveled  with  him  a  space  of 
time.  We  attended  Westport,  Dartmouth,  Allen's  Neck,  and 
Smith's  Neck  meetings,  also  New  Bedford  Monthly  Meeting. 
The  latter  was  a  laborious  day  to  me ;  as  the  public  service  fell 
mostly  on  me.  After  which,  we  visited  New  Town  and  Acush- 
net.  In  these  meetings  my  son  had  nearly  all  the  public  ser- 
vice, and  was  favored. 

Seventh  day,  at  night,  we  arrived  at  Obadiab  Davis',  Long 
Plain,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day,  the  26th.  Sec- 
ond day,  we  went  to  Rochester,  and  had  a  meeting  there  ; 
thence  to  Sandwich  and  Yarmouth.  Lindley  was  favored  be- 
yond my  expectation,  but  my  mind  was  shut  up,  as  with  a 
close  seal ;  with  many  painful  exercises  to  wade  through,  on 
account  of  an  infidel  spirit  amongst  Friends,  secreted  under  a 
plain  coat,  and  smoothed  over  by  an  affected  concern  and  zeal 
for  the  Truth.     Thence  to  Nantucket  Quarterly  Meeting,  where 


338  JOURNAL   OF 

there  came  in  a  number  of  Ministering  Frienjis  from  different 
parts,  one  of  them  from  North  Carolina.  They  kept  up  such  a 
stream  of  preaching,  that  T  saw  no  way  to  relieve  my  mind,  and 
gave  it  up,  concluding  to  stay  after  the  Quarter,  and  try  to  get 
an  opportunity.  As  soon  as  that  meeting  closed,  two  Friends 
who  had  occupied  much  of  the  time,  went  to  appointing  meet- 
ings in  the  town,  so  fast  one  after  another,  that  I  found  my 
way  closed  again,  and  I  give  all  up,  except  attending  the  two 
meetings  on  first  day,  in  which  I  relieved  my  mind  in  a  meas- 
ure. My  son  left  on  seventh  day.  Second  day,  I  was  wind- 
bound,  but  intended  to  go  on  board  the  Packet ;  the  wind  still 
standing  ahead  on  third  day,  I  informed  Friends  it  was  on  my 
mind  to  appoint  a  meeting  at  the  North  meeting-house  at  five 
in  the  afternoon.  It  was  readily  agreed  to.  The  meeting  was 
pretty  full,  and  favored,  to  the  relief  of  my  own  mind,  and  the 
satisfaction  of  Friends.  There  had  been  so  much  preaching, 
that  many  Friends  had  been  burdened  ;  so  that,  although  I  had 
been  silent  through  the  Quarter,  I  had  concluded  to  go  off  and 
not  burden  them  myself;  but  head  wind  had  detained,  until  I 
yielded  to  duty  and  accomplished  it.  Then,  on  fourth  day 
morning,  I  went  on  board  the  packet,  finding  nothing  in  my 
way,  and  had  a  pleasant  passage  to  Yarmouth,  with  the  enjoy- 
ment of  a  peaceful  mind.  I  got  there  in  good  season,  and 
attended  that  little  meeting  on  fifth  day,  and  appointed  a  meet- 
ing on  sixth  day  afternoon,  at  the  same  house,  which  was  well 
filled,  and  it  pleased  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  to  favor 
with  His  solemnizing  presence ;  doctrine  flowed  freely,  and 
Truth  arose  into  dominion.  On  seventh  day,  we  went  to  Fal- 
mouth, and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day,  where  I  was 
enabled  to  relieve  my  mind  amongst  a  prudent  set  of  plain 
Friends — prudent  for  this  world,  but  too  much  wanting  in  re- 
ligious weight  and  Gospel  love.  Second  day,  I  rode  to  New 
Bedford,  and  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting,  where  I  had  close 
searching  service  ;  being  dipped  into  a  sense  of  a  rending  spir- 
it amongst  them.  I  was  enabled  through  Divine  mercy  to 
clear  my  mind,  so  as  to  enjoy  a  full  reward  of  peace.     I  also 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  339 

attended  the  Preparative  Meeting  of  Long  Plain,  where  Friends 
"were  in  a  languid  state.  My  mind  was  dipped  into  a  feeling 
sense  and  near  sympathy  with  them,  and  I  felt  strengthened  to 
minister  that  to  them,  which  my  Master  gave  me,  and  found 
relief. 

After  meeting  I  returned  to  New  Bedford,  and  attended  their 
Preparative  Meeting,  where  my  mind  was  dipped  into  a  feeling 
sympathy  with  the  suffering  seed  of  Life,  and  those  who  suffered 
patiently  with  it.  A  little  portion  was  given  me  from  my  Master 
for  them,  which  I  cheerfully  handed  to  them ;  but  not  feeling  clear,  I 
had  to  labor  plainly  with  those,  who  in  a  fiery  zeal  wanted  to  drive 
furiously.  It  was  painful  labor,  but  I  obtained  a  rich  reward. 
After  meeting,  I  returned  to  my  friend,  Francis  Taber's,  where  I 
made  my  home,  and  after  dining  with  his  brother,  I  journeyed 

to  Fall  River,  and  put  up  with  S Chase,  the  2 2d  of  7th 

month.  The  day  following,  I  had  a  meeting  there,  which  was 
more  comfortable  than  in  some  other  places ;  as  Friends  ap- 
peared to  live  peaceably  with  themselves  and  their  neighbors. 
Then  I  went  to  Providence  on  seventh  day,  and  on  first  day, 
attended  their  morning  and  afternoon  meetings ;  where  there 
was  much  more  correct  outward  acquired  knowledge,  than  in- 
ward vital  experience  of  true  religion.  To  me  it  was  an  exer- 
cising time,  but  I  was  enabled  to  relieve  my  mind,  and  felt 
quiet.  The  night  following,  I  lodged  in  Friend's  Seminary  in 
Providence ;  where,  if  it  was  not  for  the  high  exalted  feeling 
and  aim  of  the  planters  of  that  institution,  and  something  of 
the  same  disposition  in  the  managers,  it  might  be  a  blessing  to 
our  Society. 

Thence  I  went  to  Lynn,  and  I  attended  their  meeting  on 
fourth  day,  and  fifth  day  at  Salem.  In  both  I  was  comforted 
in  being  made  sensible  that  there  was  a  goodly  remnant,  who 
were  honestly  laboring  to  be  what  they  ought ;  yet  they  were 
not  all  Israel  who  were  of  Israel  in  them.  After  meeting  at 
Salem,  I  attended  a  funeral  ijear  Marblehead,  of  a  young  man 
whose  mother  was  a  Friend,  but  his  father  was  not.  The 
young  man  went  out  of  the  world  in  great  distress,  both  of 


340  JOURNAL  OF 

body  and  mind.  It  was  a  solemn  time.  On  sixth  day,  I  went 
to  Seabrook,  and  put  up  with  my  cousin  Benjamin  Dow,  where 
I  was  received  with  great  kindness  and  affection.  I  lay  by  on 
seventh  day,  and  had  notice  given  of  my  intending  to  be  at 
meeting  on  first  day.  The  meeting  was  a  full  one — a  mixed 
people  ;  the  doctrines  of  Truth  went  forth  in  its  own  authority, 
and  prevailed  over  all  opposition ;  I  hope  to  the  honor  of  the 
Great  Head  of  the  Church,  who  is  worthy  of  the  praise  of  all 
His  works.  At  five  in  the  afternoon,  I  had  a  meeting  at  Ams- 
bury,  where  were  a  large  number  not  of  our  Society — a  goodly 
looking  people.  The  doctrine  of  the  Gospel  dropped  as  the 
dew,  and  distilled  as  the  rain,  and  appeared  to  settle  on  the 
people.  Blessed  be  the  God  of  all  grace,  for  the  continuation 
of  His  mercy  in  visiting  the  people.  May  the  favor  rest  long 
upon  them,  as  the  dew  upon  the  tender  grass  ! 

Fifth  day  following,  I  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Sea- 
brook,  and  found  it  in  a  low  state,  as  to  the  pure  life  of  the 
Gospel— rbut  little  more  than  the  form — the  well  concerned 
amongst  them  were  almost  ready  to  give  up.  I  labored 
amongst  them,  in  that  strength  my  Master  furnished  with,  but 
it  seemed  almost  like  beating  the  wind.  The  next  meeting  I 
attended,  was  appointed  by  my  son  Lindley,  amongst  the  Bap- 
tists ;  he  was  much  favored.  I  passed  the  meeting  in  peaceful 
poverty.  I  then  went  to  Epping,  and  attended  their  morning 
and  afternoon  meetings.  In  both  of  them  I  was  enabled  to 
clear  my  mind  fully,  to  the  relief  of  it.  Second  day,  I  had  a 
meeting  at  Lee,  at  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  where,  after  a 
time  of  deep  poverty  and  strippedness,  the  Gospel  spring  open- 
ed and  arose  in  the  clearness,  and  its  doctrines  flowed  freely ; 
Truth  had  the  victory.     Blessed  be  the  God  of  Truth  ! 

After  meeting,  with  a  pilot  I  drove  to  Dover,  and  third  day 
morning,  went  to  Meaderboro'.  Thence,  with  Ezekiel  Jones 
for  company,  I  went  to  New  Durham,  where  I  had  a  meeting, 
and  returned  to  Meaderboro',  and  attended  their  Preparative 
Meeting.  The  day  following,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Chestnut 
Hill,  and  drove  to  South  Durham,  where  we  had  a  meeting  on 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  341 

seventli  day.  Most  of  these  meetings  were  very  small,  owing 
to  the  younger  class  going  to  other  parts  of  the  country  to  live  ; 
the  aged  ones  died  oiF;  some  leaving  Friends,  and  a  want  of 
zeal  in  most  of  them ;  so  that  it  leaves  a  gloomy  prospect. 
Yet  through  the  goodness  of  kind  Providence,  I  was  enabled 
80  to  clear  my  mind  in  the  ability  given,  in  this  part  of  the 
country,  as  to  enjoy  a  peaceful  mind.  Blessed  be  His  name 
forever ! 

We  then  went  to  Dover,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first 
day.  It  was  large,  and  laborious  for  me.  In  the  afternoon  we 
attended  a  funeral,  held  at  Friends'  meeting-house,  which  was 
also  large — a  mixed  multitude  in  both  meetings  ;  so  that  the 
labor  of  the  day  was  deeply  exercising,  and  truly  humbling,  as 
the  Lord  doth  not  require  any  service  of  His  servants,  until  He 
gives  them  to  understand  what  the  service  is ;  and  when  obe- 
dience of  faith  is  kept  to,  He  richly  rewards  them  with  heaven- 
ly peace.  Thanks,  honor,  and  praise  be  ascribed  unto  Him, 
and  the  Lamb,  forevermore,  saith  my  soul ! 

Second  day,  the  15th  of  8th  month,  I  returned  with  Ezekiel 
Jones  to  Amsbury.  He  had  been  with  me  the  week  past,  and 
was  pleasant  company.  I  next  attended  Salem  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, held  at  Lynn ;  to  me  a  painful,  exercising  meeting ;  yet 
the  Lord's  Divine  mercy  was  good,  as  he  gave  ability  and  ut- 
terance to  discharge  the  duty  He  required  of  me,  and  richly 
rewarded  with  heavenly  peace.  Then  returned  to  New  Dur- 
ham, and  attended  that  and  Chestnut  Hill,  Meaderboro'  and 
Lower  Rochester  meetings,  and  returned  to  Dover  and  attend- 
ed their  meeting  on  first  day,  and  a  funeral  in  the  afternoon. 
In  both  I  had  laborious  testimonies  to  bear,  was  favored  to 
feel  greatly  relieved  and  comforted,  and  proceeded  to  Berwick 
to  attend  Dover  Quarterly  Meeting  held  there.  The  public 
service  mostly  fell  on  me,  in  a  close  plain  way,  which  gave  re- 
lief. I  then  went  to  Kittery,  where  there  had  once  been  a 
considerable  meeting  of  Friends,  now  nearly  run  out.  We  had 
a  pretty  full  meeting ;  and  ended  much  to  my  satisfaction. 
First   day,  attended  meeting  at  Berwick,  where  I  had  close 


342  JOURNAL    OF 

searching  service,  but  through  Divine  favor  was  enabled  to 
clear  my  mind,  and  felt  relieved.  In  the  afternoon  I  attended 
an  appointed  meeting  at  the  Great  Falls  which  was  large. 
The  service  was  principally  allotted  to  my  son,  Lindley.  He 
being  young  it  tried  his  feelings  pretty  closely,  yet  I  believe  all 
was  right;  preachers  have  need  to  learn  as  well  as  teach. 
From  this  I  proceeded  to  Falmouth  Quarterly  Meeting.  In 
the  meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  I  felt  a  necessity  to  deal 
plainly  and  honestly.  I  hope  it  will  do  good.  The  following 
meeting,  the  service  fell  almost  entirely  on  Lindley ;  he  was 
much  favored ;  Truth  reigned  to  the  honor  of  the  head  of  the 
Church.  Sixth  day,  I  had  a  meeting  at  Pownell ;  which 
though  not  large,  was  favored — the  minds  of  some  were  com- 
forted. On  first  day,  I  attended  a  large  meeting  at  Durham, 
where  I  was  not  altogether  satisfied  with  myself,  not  keeping 
enough  in  the  patience  and  simplicity. 

Second-  day,  I  went  twenty  miles  to  Gardner,  and  put  up 
with  Noah  Ferris,  and  had  a  small  meeting  in  the  town,  at  five 
in  the  afternoon,  to  good  satisfaction.  The  day  following,  I 
attended  the  Monthly  Meeting,  at  East  Pond,  where  I  had 
close,  searching  service,  which  made  some  stir  amongst  Friends ; 
yet  I  felt  great  peace.  I  next  attended  Fairfield  Monthly 
Meeting,  where  I  was  silent.  Three  or  four  of  the  leaders  from 
the  other  Monthly  Meeting  came,  I  thought,  as  spies.  I  had 
nothing  for  them.  Then  we  went  to  Comville,  and  had  a 
meeting  on  the  East  Ridge,  having  Israel  Goddard  and  Phebe 
Cobb,  for  company.  The  day  following,  we  had  a  meeting  at 
Athens  Village.  On  first  day,  at  Robert  Went  worth's.  Also, 
one  at  five  o'clock  at  Braton  Village,  both  of  them  to  good  sat- 
isfaction. Thence  went  to  Sandersfield,  and  had  a  meeting. 
Then  went  to  Sebec,  and  had  a  meeting.  Thence  to  Sirena,  and 
lodged  at  John  Burton's,  a  Friend,  and  had  a  good  satisfactory 
meeting  in  the  neighborhood,  which  was  the  case  in  several  of 
the  last  mentioned  meetings,  there  being  great  openness  in  the 
minds  of  the  people,  to  hear.  The  Lord  favored  with  suitable 
matter  and  free  utterance,  and  richly  rewarded  with  peace. 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  3481 

Blessed  be  His  high  and  holy  name !  We  then  rode  to  St, 
Albans,  and  put  up  with  Samuel  Beals,  seventh  day,  24th  of 
9th  month.  On  first  day  we  attended  their  meeting,  which 
was  large  and  much  favored.  At  evening,  we  had  a  large 
meeting  at  Newport,  which  was  laborious,  but  well.  Second 
day,  we  rode  twenty  miles,  and  had  a  meeting  at  evening  in 
Friends'  meeting-house  at  Brooks.  It  was  not  large,  but  a  fa- 
vored time.  We  lodged  at  Doctor  Roberts'.  Third  day,  we 
rode  to  Unity.  Fourth  day,  attended  their  meeting  in  course. 
Thence  Albion,  Hope  and  Bremans,  and  had  a  meeting  in  each 
place,  and  were  favored  to  the  enjoyment  of  peaceful  minds. 
Second  day,  we  rode  to  Winsof,  where  we  stopped  and  had  a 
meeting  among  the  Methodists,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  peo- 
ple. Fourth  day,  we  attended  the  River  meeting.  Fifth  day, 
we  attended  meeting  at  Vassalborough,  where  I  had  close, 
plain  service  in  good  authority,  which  made  its  way  through 
all  opposition.  Sixth  day,  we  were  at  Sidney  Meeting,  where 
my  sufferings  were  unusually  painful  a  length  of  time,  when 
way  opened  to  clear  my  mind,  in  a  plain  way  to  its  relief.  Sev- 
enth day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Belgrade ;  Gospel  life  rose  into 
dominion,  and  its  doctrines  flowed  freely.  On  first  day,  the 
9th  of  10th  month,  we  attended  Winthrop  meeting.  It  being 
a  very  rainy  day,  the  meeting  was  small ;  a  comely  number  of 
young  people  attended,  to  whom  tender  counsel  flowed  freely. 
After  meeting  we  went  to  Elijah  Pope's ;  were  there  detained 
by  a  great  fall  of  rain.  On  fourth  day,  we  attended  Litchfield 
meeting.  Truth  opened  the  way,  and  gave  ability  to  clear  my 
mind,  in  a  close,  searching  testimony,  which  gave  relief  Fifth 
day,  we  journeyed  to  New  Sharon,  over  a  very  hilly  country, 
and  lodged. 

Sixth  day  we  had  a  trying  meeting  there,  in  the  exercise  of 
close,  plain  testimony.  After  meeting,  we  drove  to  Wilton, 
and  had  a  meeting  there  on  seventh  day,  which  was  troubled 
with  an  impostor  who  took  up  considerable  time  in  preaching, 
tending  to  the  unsettlement  of  the  meeting,  so  that  I  was  fear- 
ful it  would  be  spoiled ;  yet,  through  Divine  mercy.  Truth  rose 


844  JOURNAL   OF 

in  a  powerful  manner  over  all  opposition.  The  meeting  ended 
under  a  quiet  solemnity,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people.  We 
returned  the  same  day  to  New  Sharon ;  had  a  meeting  there. 
Passed  on  to  Fairfield,  and  attended  a  large  favored  meeting  on 
first  day.  After  it,  we  drove  to  John  Cock's,  about  twenty 
miles.  Second  day,  we  attended  the  Preparative  Meeting  of 
Ministers  and  Elders,  at  Unity,  where  it  fell  to  my  lot,  to  com- 
municate some  plain  truths.  The  day  following,  attended  their 
Monthly  Meeting,  which  was  the  most  solemn,  favored  meeting 
that  I  have  attended  in  this  part  of  the  land. 

The  next  day,  I  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Yassalbor- 
ough.  It  was  large  and  favored.  In  the  evening  attended  a 
meeting  appointed  by  J.  J.  W.,  at  Hallowel  Forks,  in  a  school 
house ;  a  full  meeting,  wherein  the  doctrines  of  truth  flowed 
freely  and  appeared  to  settle  on  the  minds  of  the  people,  as 
dew  on  the  tender  grass.  On  5th  day,  I  attended  Sidney 
Monthly  Meeting.  It  appeared  to  be  a  low  time  with  Friends, 
owing  much  to  the  want  of  true  Gospel  love,  and  a  right  zeal. 
Their  business  was  managed  dull ;  yet  the  Gospel  spring  flow- 
ed in  strength,  and  arose  in  dominion.  Sixth  day,  I  attended 
Leeds  Monthly  Meeting  held  at  Winthrop,  where  the  business 
was  also  conducted  without  much  energy.  In  both  the  last 
meetings,  I  enjoyed  myself  in  peaceful  silence,  and  was  com- 
forted in  partaking  of  a  share  of  the  reward  of  those  who  labor- 
ed. On  seventh  day,  I  had  a  meeting  in  the  town  of  Hallowell, 
amongst  a  high  feeling  people,  where  through  unmerited  mer- 
cy, strength  was  given  to  deliver  the  truth,  in  such  Gospel  au- 
thority the  people  became  settled :  the  meeting  ended  quietly. 
We  next  went  to  Leeds,  and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day. 
I  was  silent,  and  well  satisfied  with  it.  Second  day,  I  attended 
the  Preparative  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  at  Durham. 
Third  day,  the  Monthly  Meeting,  a  laborious  time  with  me,  in 
clearing  my  mind  to  the  relief  of  it.  Fourth  day,  I  attended 
Falmouth  Preparative  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  where 
I  had  to  communicate  some  plain  remarks.  Fifth  day,  I  attend- 
ed the  Monthly  Meeting,  where  I  was  greatly  enlarged,  to  the 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  345 

felief  of  my  own  mind,  and  it  appeared  to  the  satisfaction  of 
my  Friends.  Sixth  day,  I  had  a  meeting  on  Cape  Elizabeth, 
where  an  approved  minister  amongst  Friends  had  turned  Hick- 
site,  in  consequence  of  which,  several  were  jostled  in  mind,  and 
some  became  more  slack  in  attending  meetings,  so  that  the  meet- 
ing, which  was  not  large  before,  became  very  small  and  some- 
what languid,  but  through  unmerited  mercy,  it  pl<eased  the 
Head  of  the  Church  to  speak  comfortably,  to  those  who  remain- 
ed alive  among  them,  to  hold  fast  that  which  they  already  had, 
and  let  no  one  draw  them  off  from  the  Truth.  Seventh  day,  in 
company  with  Samuel  Hussey  aud  wife,  I  made  a  social  visit  to 
all  the  femilies  of  Friends,  and  returned  to  Portland  that  night. 
On  first  day,  I  attended  their  fore  and  afternoon  meetings, 
where  the  Grospel  spring  arose  in  strength,  flowed  freely,  and 
went  forth  in  its  own  authority  over  all  opposing  spirits,  I  hope 
to  the  glory  of  God.  Strength  and  utterance  were  given  to 
hold  up  the  standard  of  Truth,  and  the  ensign  of  righteousness, 
to  the  people.  Second  day,  I  lay  by  in  Portland,  the  Quarter- 
ly Meeting  being  near  at  hand. 

Third  day,  I  went  to  Durham,  and  on  fourth  day  attended 
the  meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  and  on  fifth  day  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  at  large.  Both  were  favored  meetings.  Under 
a  sense  thereof,  many  minds  were  humbled  and  contrited,  in 
consideration  of  the  tender  mercy  of  the  Lord,  who  doth  not 
limit  His  mercies  to  our  worthiness.  Seventh  day,  I  had  a 
meeting  at  Humphrey  Purinton's,  in  Bath,  the  fore  part  of  the 
day ;  in  the  afternoon  I  had  another  in  the  Village  of  Bath. 
First  day,  I  had  a  meeting  at  Brunswick.     Second  day,  I  had 

one  in  Bowdoinham,  and  then  went  to  John  Perry's,  at  B , 

and  had  a  favored  meeting  in  that  neighborhood.  The  next 
day  I  had  a  meeting  in  Lisbon  Village,  where  my  labors  were 
deeply  exercising,  on  account  of  the  careless,  unconcerned  state 
the  minds  of  the  people  were  in ;  which  appeared  to  be  the 
general  state  in  most  of  the  meetings  in  this  town.  Though 
my  mind  has  been  depressed  for  several  days  past,  under  a 
sense  of  my  own  weakness,  and  the  painful  labor  I  had  to  pass 
22 


346  JOURNAL    OP 

through,  from  day  to  day,  yet  through  all,  my  good  and  heav- 
enly Master,  has  been  my  only  helper,  furnishing  with  matter, 
strength,  and  utterance,  which  enabled  me  to  clear  my  mind 
from  day  to  day,  and  obtain  comforting  peace.  Blessed  be  His 
ever  adorable  name  I 

On  fifth  day,  I  rode  to  Lewistown,  and  put  up  with  Amos 
Davis.  Israel  Jones  accompanied  me,  who,  with  his  brother, 
Thomas,  had  been  agreeably  with  me  for  several  days  ;  the  lat- 
ter having  returned  home.  Seventh  day,  I  went  to  Windham, 
and  attended  that  meeting  on  first  day,  which  was  very  large 
and  solemn.  Through  Divine  help,  the  testimony  of  Truth 
was  set  forth  in  Gospel  authority.  Second  day,  I  rode  to  Po- 
land, and  had  a  comfortable  meeting  there  in  the  afternoon. 
Fourth  day,  I  went  to  Norway,  and  had  a  small  meeting.  A 
company  of  rude  young  people  came  to  it,  and  kept  it  unset- 
tled. Near  the  close,  I  believed  it  right  to  address  them,  and 
let  them  know  my  thoughts  of  their  conduct,  in  relation  to 
their  own  credit,  and  the  reproach  it  cast  on  tbeir  parents  who 
brought  them  up ;  as  also  their  irreverence  to  their  Creator. 
This  stilled  them,  and  some  of  them  looked  ashamed. 

On  fifth  day,  the  6th  of  the  month,  I  went  to  Raymond,  and 
had  a  meeting  there  next  day,  in  which  I  was  enabled  to  clear 
my  mind  to  good  satisfaction.  From  thence,  I  returned  to 
Portland,  and  attended  their  fore  and  afternoon  meetings  on 
First  day,  which  were  painfully  exercising,  and  I  had  to  deal 
plainly,  which  gave  a  comfortable  enjoyment  of  sweet  peace. 
Second  day,  I  returned  to  Raymond,  and  had  another  meeting 
there  on  third  day.  I  had  to  sound  the  alarm,  and  show  the  danger 
of  being  deceived  by  the  subtle  serpent,  and  his  transformings 
in  the  appearance  of  an  angel  oi  light ;  and  was  led  to  set  forth 
how  he  might  be  known  and  detected,  greatly  to  the  relief  and 
refreshment  of  my  mind. 

I  returned  to  Windham  on  fourth  day,  and  had  a  meeting 
at  Gorham,  which  was  not  large,  but  a  suffering  time.  It  ap- 
peared that  heart-felt  sickness  was  among  them  ;  I  cleared  my 
icind,  and  felt  a  peaceful  quiet.    Sixth  day,  I  attended  Wind- 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  347 

ham  Monthly  Meeting,  held  at  Limington.  After  suffering  in 
deep  poverty  and  strippedness  of  spirit,  the  Gospel  spring  rose 
high  and  flowed  freely ;  though  much  weakness  was  felt,  the 
Lord  favored  with  a  renewed  visitation  to  the  comforting  of  the 
honest-hearted,  and  a  solemn  warning  to  those  at  ease,  who 
choose  their  own  ways,  and  despise  the  cross  of  Christ. 

Seventh  day,  the  26th  of  11th  month,  I  went  to  Parsonsfield, 
and  lodged  with  Charles  Cartland,  when  feehng  my  mind  clear 
of  that  part  of  the  country,  I  went  to  Winter  Harbor,  and  had 
a  small  meeting  there.  The  snow  coming  on,  made  it  difficult 
traveling  on  wheels,  so  I  went  direct  to  Berwick,  and  put  up 
with  my  children,  John  and  Elizabeth  Meader,  for  several 
weeks.  While  there,  I  attended  that  meeting  several  times, 
and  Dover  twice,  and  had  a  meeting  on  Dover  Neck.  In  all 
these  meetings,  my  good  Master  was  pleased  to  furnish  with 
appropriate  matter,  ability  and  utterance  to  relieve  my  mind, 
and  obtain  the  reward  of  peace ;  being  mercifully  supported 
in  all  the  exercises,  though  they  were  painful  and  laborious. 
A  fig-leaf  covering  was  too  much  resorted  to  by  many,  which 
often  caused  mourning  with  the  few  upright-hearted  amongst 
them.  May  the  Lord  sustain  these,  that  the  ensign  of  right- 
eousness may  not  fall  in  the  streets  ! 

After  making  these  visits,  feeling  my  mind  drawn  to  visit 
Pittsfield,  Weare,  and  Henniker,  a  kind  Friend,  Joseph  Bracket, 
took  his  sleigh,  and  carried  me  this  short  tour.  We  attended 
Pittsfield  meeting  on  first  day,  but  the  weather  being  stormy, 
the  meeting  was  very  small.  Not  feeling  clear,  I  proposed 
meeting  with  Friends  again  on  second  day,  which  was  agreed 
to,  and  notice  given,  but  the  second  meeting  was  very  little 
larger  than  the  first;  some  whole  families  not  attending. 
Having  done  all  I  could,  I  felt  clear,  and  had  two  meetings  in 
that  part  of  the  country,  out  from  the  settlement  of  Friends, 
much  to  my  satisfaction.  There  was  more  openness  amongst 
them,  than  with  nominal  professors  of  my  own  Society.  We 
then  went  to  Weare  North  Meeting  on  first  day,  at  the  usual 
time,  and  at  the  South  Meeting  at  three  o'clock ;    both  were 


348  JOURNAL    OF 

well  attended.  The  word  of  Truth  went  forth  in  its  own  au- 
thority and  its  standard  was  over  the  heads  of  transgressors,  by 
and  through  the  power  of  the  mighty  God  of  Jacob.  Blessed 
be  His  ever  adorable  name  ! 

On  second  day,  I  had  a  meeting  at  Henniker,  where  I  passed 
through  great  depression  of  spirit,  under  a  sense  of  the  want 
of  faithfulness  in  many  professing  with  us,  who,  instead  of  being 
lights  and  encouragers  of  others,  were  stumbling  blocks  in  their 
way.  I  was  enabled  faithfully  to  bear  the  testimony  my  good 
Master  gave  me,  to  my  relief  and  peace.  After  meeting,  I  went 
to  my  cousin,  Winthrop  Dow's  where  I  was  on  the  10th  of  1st 
month,  1832.  I  next  attended  Weare  Monthly  Meeting,  wherein 
I  had  close,  painful,  and  exercising  labor ;  and  the  day  follow- 
ing, I  went  to  Concord,  and  had  a  meeting  in  Friends'  meeting 
house,  which  was  large,  and  favored  with  a  renewed  visitation 
from  on  high.     May  the  people  gratefully  prize  the  favor ! 

I  then  returned  to  Berwick.  Next  I  went  to  Seabrook,  and 
attended  Salem  Quarterly  Meeting,  where  I  had  to  preach  plain, 
solemn  truths ;  then  returned  to  Berwick,  and  attended  that  meet- 
ings on  first  day,  and  a  meeting  in  the  evening  at  the  Great  Falls, 
which  was  well  attended,  and  a  favored  time.  Thence  I  went  to 
Sandwich,  N.  H.,  and  attended  that  Quarterly  Meeting.  That  for 
worship  was  a  renewed  visitation  to  the  inhabitants  thereaway. 
Oh,  that  it  may  be  wisely  improved  !  The  meeting  for  business 
ness  was  very  dull,  taking  a  long  time  to  transact  a  little  business. 

I  then  went  again  to  Pittsfield,  and  attended  their  Monthly 
Meeting,  and  was  enabled  to  clear  my  mind  so  fully,  that  I 
hope  ray  Master  will  not  send  me  there  again,  but  bless  the 
labors  already  bestowed.  I  then  set  out  in  a  sleigh  for  Smith- 
field,  but  the  snow  going  off",  I  was  stopped  at  Edward  Goves', 
in  Seabrook.  The  4th  of  2d  month,  in  the  evening,  I  had  a 
meeting  with  those  not  of  our  Society  ;  the  doctrines  of  Truth 
were  well  received  and  acknowledged.  On  first  day,  I  attended 
Seabrook  meeting,  which  was  very  small.  The  life  of  pure  relig- 
ion was  very  low,  and  were  it  not  for  a  few  honest-hearted  ones 
I  think  that  meeting  would  cease  to  be.     May  the  Lord  strength- 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  349 

en  the  hands  of  the  few,  to  hold  up  the  standard  of  righteous- 
ness to  beholding  enquirers,  to  the  honor  of  His  own  Name ! 

I  next  went  to  Lynn,  and  attended  that  Monthly  Meeting — 
a  suffering  time  to  me.  I  next  journeyed  to  Providence,  and 
attended  the  morning  meeting  in  the  town — a  dry,  suffering 
time  to  me.  In  the  afternoon  I  attended  meeting  at  the  School, 
which  was  a  favored  time,  wherein  I  felt  my  mind  above  the 
depression  of  spirit  I  had  waded  under  for  days,  and  was  mar- 
velously  enabled,  both  in  public  and  private,  to  clear  my  mind 
of  a  concern  that  had  arrested  it,  until  it  became  a  heavy  bur- 
den. He  who  promised  to  go  before  His  sheep  that  He  put 
forth,  made  a  way  for  me,  beyond  my  expectation,  and  my  la- 
bors were  received  without  any  apparent  offense,  though  they 
were  plain  and  close.  I  felt  fully  relieved,  and  made  to  rejoice 
with  thankfulness  to  my  Lord  and  Master,  for  His  direction 
and  holy  help,  through  this  portion  of  exercising  service. 

I  then  went  to  SQuth  Smithfield,  and  attended  a  meeting 
there,  which  was  not  large,  but  favored,  and  the  minds  of  the 
people  appeared  open  to  hear  the  Truth.  The  day  following, 
I  was  at  a  meeting  at  Cumberland,  where  there  was  not  such 
openness  as  at  the  former,  which  made  the  labor  more  painful, 
but  my  mind  was  strengthened  to  discharge  my  duty.  I  then 
rode  to  Mendon,  and  attended  their  Preparative  Meeting ;  it 
was  small,  and  I  had  good  service ;  yet,  not  feeling  clear,  I  had 
a  meeting  appointed  at  three  in  the  afternoon,  which  was  pretty 
full  and  favored,  and  the  testimony  of  Truth  rose  into  dominion. 
The  day  following,  I  attended  Smithfield  North  Meeting,  a 
large  and  deeply  exercising  one,  there  being  great  want  of  a 
true  religious  concern  amongst  the  people ;  although  it  was  a 
laborious  day,  I  was  favored  to  feel  a  peaceful  mind.  The  next 
meeting  was  at  Uxbridge,  where  we  had  a  searching  time,  and 
the  testimony  of  Truth  went  forth  in  its  own  authority,  and  reign- 
ed over  all  for  that  time.  In  the  evening  I  had  a  meeting  in  a 
school  house  near  Jacob  Aldrich's,  to  my  satisfaction  ;  the  tes- 
timony of  Truth  went  forth  in  clearness,  accompanied  with 
tendering  Gospel  authority,  and  closed  solemnly. 


350  JOURNAL   OF 

On  the  11th,  I  was  at  Douglas — a  meeting  much  run  down. 
The  12th,  I  was  at  North  Bridge,  a  pretty  full,  favored  meeting. 
Thence  to  North  Mendon ;  the  meeting  was  considerably  full. 
The  testimony  of  Truth  went  forth  in  clearness,  and  good  au- 
thority, to  full  satisfaction  to  my  own  mind.  The  next  was 
Bolton  Monthly  Meeting,  attended  by  many  not  of  our  Society. 
The  truths  of  the  Gospel  were  largely  opened,  and  appeared  to 
settle  with  weight  on  the  minds  of  the  people.  I  next  attended 
Richmond,  where  there  were  more  in  number,  than  there  were 
Friends.  I  was  led  to  show  the  difference  between  the  Gospel 
and  its  effects,  and  the  inventions  and  wisdom  of  men,  in  the 
great  cause  of  religion ;  and  to  contrast  them  in  a  clear  point  of 
view.  The  testimony  of  Truth  was  in  dominion,  and  the  spirit 
of  oppression  gave  way. 

I  proceeded  to  Unity,  where  there  was  a  pretty  full  gather- 
ing of  Friends  and  others,  and  much  openness  in  the  minds  of 
the  people.  Truth  flowed  freely,  to  the  comfort  of  the  honest- 
hearted.  I  then  passed  on  to  Pittsfield  again,  and  attended 
that  meeting  once  more,  and  was  mercifully  enabled  to  bear  a 
close,  searching  testimony,  greatly  to  the  relief  of  my  troubled 
mind. 

Having  discharged  my  duty  to  some  individuals,  I  felt  clear 
to  take  my  departure,  and  journeyed  to  Gilmantown,  where  I 
had  a  pretty  full,  favored  meeting,  which  ended  to  good  satis- 
faction. At  evening  I  attended  a  meeting  appointed  by  Abi- 
gal  Miller ;  the  first  time  that  I  had  an  opportunity  to  hear  her, 
except  a  few  words,  and  to  my  satisfaction,  found  she  was  an 
able  Gospel  minister.  The  day  following,  sixth  day,  the  10th 
of  3d  month,  I  went  to  Wolfsborough. 

[No  further  narrative  of  this  journey  is  given,  and  at  what  time  he  ar- 
rived at  his  own  home,  is  not  certainly  ascertained ;  yet,  it  is  beUeved  not 
to  be  long  after  the  close  of  his  narrative  at  "Wolfsborough,  then  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles  from  home. 

The  following  extracts  from  a  letter  written  to  his  wife  and  children 
about  the  middle  of  his  last  visit  to  New  England,  will  be  familiar  to 
those  who  have  been  acquainted  with  him  in  conversation ;  from  the 
manner  of  style  and  expression.] 


JOSEPH  HOAG.  361 

"Portland,  24th  of  lOth  month,  1831. 
Beloved  Wife  and  Children  : — I  take  my  pen  once  more 
to  address  you,  with  making  this  apology,  that  I  have  put  off 
writing  in  hopes  I  should  find  myself  at  liberty  to  come  home. 
But  seeing  no  time  for  my  release,  I  feel  best,  to  inform  that  I 
am  in  good  health,  and  have  been,  by  far  the  most  of  the  time, 
since  I  left  home — a  favor  that  calls  for  humble  gratitude,  and 
a  thankful  heart  to  the  Giver  of  the  blessing ;  not  only  for  this, 
but  in  that  He  has  enabled  me  in  a  marvelous  manner,  to  per- 
form all  that  He  hath  required  of  me,  since  I  left  Rhode  Island, 
From  there  I  passed  on,  taking,  meetings  in  course,  until  I  got 
to  New  Bedford,  where  I  found  satan  had  got  into  the  high 
bench,  where  he  sat  himself  as  God,  and  had  made  such  a  rent, 
as  almost  to  destroy  harmony  and  unity,  through  one  Quarter- 
ly Meeting,  and  to  draw  down  several  stars  of  magnitude,  that 
once  shone  brilliantly.  The  escaped  remnant  lay  low,  al- 
most buried  under  discouragement ;  that  this  part  of  my  travel 
was  in  a  land  of  sorrow  to  me,  in  beholding  the  breaches  in  the 
wall,  and  the  desolation  in  the  city.  My  inner  garment  was 
that  of  mourning,  from  day  to  day.  From  thence  I  put  on  for 
Lynn,  where  I  met  a  troop  of  archers,  with  their  bows  all  bent 
— the  horse  and  his  rider,  all  in  battle  array.  But  my  Master 
made  my  arm  strong  to  handle  the  bow,  and  He  directing  the 
arrow,  it  never  missed  so  that  the  battle  was  turned  to  the 
gate,  and  the  prison  doors  were  ordered  open  by  the  King,  and 
the  captive  daughter  was  set  free,  to  the  honor  of  the  King's 
name,  I  hope.  From  here  I  passed  on,  until  I  got  to  Berwick, 
where  I  found  old  satan  working  like  fire  in  the  roots  of  the 
trees,  under  ground,  so  as  to  be  sure  to  kill  all  the  green  tim- 
ber, and  not  be  seen  to  blaze,  lest  it  should  be  put  out.  His 
fire-bed  got  exposed  and  his  head  bruised ;  the  people  were 
warned  to  watch  his  moves.  From  thence  I  passed  pretty 
smooth,  until  I  came  to  Yasselborough,  where  I  attended  their 
Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  a  goodly  appearing 
band,  I  was  pleased  with  the  sight.  But  my  Master  came  and 
annointed  my  eyes,  and  bade  me  look  with  a  single  eye.    When 


352  JOURNAL   OF 

I  fixed  my  eye  intent,  and  the  light  shown  clear,  behold  I  saw 
satan  in  the  midst,  dressed  up  in  an  Elder's  suit,  from  head  to 
foot.  My  Master  caused  me  to  see  that  satan  was  very  busy 
in  raising  a  zeal  that  would  tread  to  death  every  seed  that  He, 
the  Lord,  had  planted,  if  not  checked,  and  bid  me  pitch  battle 
with  him,  and  put  a  sword  into  my  hand  for  that  purpose. 
And  when  I  came  to  try  it  I  found  it  was  a  wieldy  sword, 
that  had  a  sharp  edge  ;  and  every  blow  cut  so  that  the  enemy 
squirmed  every  way  he  could,  so  that  he  exposed  himself  and 
got  detected,  and  a  mess  of  bars  and  bolts  taken  from  him. 
And  it  was  found  that  he  had  one  of  my  Master's  children, 
summoned,  and  was  endeavoring  to  handcuff,  and  fetter  him, 
and  cast  him  into  prison  for  life.  But  the  poor  child  was  res- 
cued, taken  from  him,  and  it  is  the  King's  mind  that  he  should 
be  set  at  liberty.  I  have  since  visited  all  the  meetings  in  that 
Quarter.  In  many  of  them  my  Master  tuned  my  ram's  horn, 
so  that  many  of  their  walls  gave  way  before  it.  In  other  pla- 
ces He  gave  me  the  pipe  and  harp,  to  cheer  the  heavy  hearted. 
I  have  got  through  this  tour,  and  well  entered  into  Falmouth 
Quarter.  I  have  visited  Weare  and  all  those  parts,  and  found 
our  Society  in  a  pitiful  state  ;  of  course  my  labors  were  heart- 
aching,  and  wearing  every  way.  *  *  * 
My  Friends  take  good  care  of  me,  as  to  all  I  need  to  keep  me 
comfortable.  *  *  *  *  .  * 
I  can  give  no  opinion  about  coming  home,  having  already  been 
disappointed,  in  having  double  the  ground  to  travel  over,  that 
I  expected  to,  when  I  left  home,  and  am  not  yet  favored  to  see 
when  I  may  return  ;  though  I  think  my  stay  here  will  be  long- 
er on  Lindley's  account.  There  is  as  much  need  of  my  being 
in  this  part  of  the  country  on  his  account,  as  there  was  at 
Rhode  Island ;  and  whether  I  shall  not  have  to  stay  until  he  is 
ready  to  return,  is  unknown  to  me.  *  *  * 
I  now  take  my  pen,  the  25th,  to  close  this  detail,  with  giv- 
ing a  general  view  of  the  state  of  our  Society,  as  it  appears  to 
me,  in  this  part  of  the  land.  The  first  disorder  appears  to  be 
spiritual  pride,  out  of  which  grows  jealousy,  and  a  tormenting 


JOSEPH   HOAG«  353 

fear  that  anything  should  rise  as  high  as  Master  Pride's  shoul- 
ders. In  order  to  prevent  the  rise,  let  the  seed  be  ever  so  good 
in  its  kind  and  the  plant  grow  in  ever  so  good  and  beau- 
tiful order,  Master  Pride  fixes  the  more  an  eagle  eye 
upon  it,  and  in  the  appearance  of  a  dove,  will  coo  about  it, 
in  order  to  set  its  talons  under  its  roots  and  destroy  them,  so 
that  the  plant  must  die.  If  it  cannot  prevail  this  way,  it  will 
turn  into  a  serpent,  and  creep  under  the  grass  and  weeds — buz- 
zes in  the  ears  of  its  own  kind,  and  starts  their  fears.  Then  it 
is  to  draw  in  the  better  hearted,  and  raise  a  strong  zeal.  When 
this  is  fixed,  the  tongue  of  slander  blows  it  into  a  flame.  In 
this  kind  of  toss  and  fuss,  ups  and  downs,  satan  hath  walked  in 
this  land,  until  he  hath  abundantly  marred  the  beauty  of  our 
Society,  and  deeply  wounded  the  pure  in  heart.  *  * 

I  now  take  my  pen  to  close  this,  the  4th  of  11th  month,  at 
the  house  of  Thomas  Jones,  a  ministering  Friend,  who  has  been 
at  our  house.  Yesterday  I  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting, 
which  was  large,  and  much  favored ;  and  though  much  weak- 
ness appeared  in  their  accounts,  their  business  was  conducted 
in  harmony.  I  may  now  inform  you,  that  in  my  hours  of  in- 
termission, T  often  find  myself  at  home  looking  round  among 
you,  feeling  anxious  for  you.  The  language  runs  through  my 
mind,  *  Here  I  am  in  a  strange  land,  wearing  out  the  last  of 
my  strength,  oft  in  heart-  aching  labor ;  and  how  is  it  with  my 
Friends  at  home  ? '  A  heavy-hearted  feeling  returns  upon  my 
spirit.  I  do  not  write  this,  as  having  any  doubt  of  being  in 
my  right  place,  for  I  am  abundantly  confirmed  that  I  am.  I 
have  often  thought  of  thee,  my  son  Nathan,  when  in  different 
parts  of  this  land.  I  now  draw  to  a  close,  desiring,  fervently 
desiring  your  faithful  standing  in  the  Truth,  and  prosperity 
therein.  Give  my  love  to  all  my  children,  relatives,  and  en- 
quiring Friends.  You  may  rest  assured  that  I  never  felt  great- 
er desires  for  the  peaceful  welfare  of  my  own  country,  than  at 
this  time.     Farewell.  Joseph  Hoag." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
On  the  21st  of  llth  month,  1832,  having  obtained  the  uni- 
ty of  my  Friends,  I  set  out  to  perform  a  religious  visit  to 
Friends  in  Upper  Canada,  and  some  parts  of  Farraington  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  and  to  attend  the  approaching  Yearly  Meeting, 
of  Philadelphia,  and  visit  some  meetings  in  its  vicinity.  We 
traveled  several  days  before  we  stopped  to  have  a  meeting ; 
the  first  being  at  the  town  of  Chateauguay,  an  assembly  of 
bright  countenanced  people,  who  appeared  fixed  in  a  choice  of 
a  popular  religion,  so  that  though  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel 
flowed  freely  and  Uvely,  it  appeared  to  make  but  little  en- 
trance. I  parted,  feeling  much  good  will  for  them,  with  a  re- 
lieved, peaceful  mind.  We  traveled  two  days  more  before  get- 
ting to  Friends'  settlement  at  Indian  River,  now  called  New 
Philadelphia,  where  I  was  delayed  a  day,  on  account  of  the 
Hicksites  having  possession  of  the  house.  The  meeting  was 
held  on  sixth  day,  when  Friends  generally  attended,  and  a  few 
of  the  neighbors.  I  was  in  hopes,  as  there  had  been  a  heavy 
shaking,  and  a  number  had  gone  ofi*,  to  have  found  them  in  a 
humble  quiet,  encircled  with  Gospel  love,  and  bound  together 
in  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  but  it  was  sorrowfully  otherwise. 
The  old  serpent  had  got  among  them,  and  sowed  the  seeds  of 
jealousy,  which  had  taken  deep  root,  and  the  fire  had  broken 
out,  to  the  great  grief  of  the  upright  among  them.  Being  con- 
strained in  Gospel  love  to  be  faithful  to  my  Lord's  command, 
though  with  an  aching  heart  for  the  people,  my  labors  were 
painful,  pointed,  and  close ;  and  I  was  favored  with  the  re- 
ward of  sweet  peace  for  obedience.  I  have  always  found  my 
good  Master  a  rich  re  warder  for  faithfulness,  and  a  sure  sup- 


JOSEPH    HOAQ.  355 

porter  in  every  trial,  if  fully  confided  in.  Blessed,  and  forever 
adored  be  His  holy  name  ! 

From  this  place  we  went  to  Le  Ray,  and  broke  down  our 
carriage  on  the  way,  which  detained  us  on  our  journey  to  get 
it  repaired  ;  but  a  Friend  took  us  through  in  a  sleigh,  in  time 
to  have  notice  given.  The  meeting  was  large,  including  a 
small  band  of  lively  spirited  Friends,  who  were  helpers  in  the 
field  of  labor,  being  disposed  to  stay  the  hands  from  dropping, 
while  the  rod  of  God  was  lifted  up.  The  battle  was  turned  to 
the  gate  and  the  Truth  reigned.  May  the  Lord  bless  that  day 
of  favor  to  the  people !  After  our  repairs  were  finished,  we 
proceeded  to  Oak  Point,  on  the  River  St.  Lawrence,  where  an 
aged  Friend  and  his  wife  lived,  remote  from  any  meeting  of 
Friends.  We  stopped  and  appointed  a  meeting  the  next  day. 
Many  came  in,  all  anxious  to  bear,  which  caused  the  meeting  for 
sometime  to  remain  unsettled,  but  sitting  in  solemn  travail  of 
spirit,  I  felt  the  word  of  Truth  to  arise  in  Gospel  authority. 
In  attending  thereto  I  felt  strength  to  increase,  and  ability  giv- 
en to  hold  forth  the  truths  of  the  Gospel,  in  a  clear,  plain 
manner,  easy  to  be  understood,  which  appeared  to  settle  upon 
them  as  the  dew.  Their  countenances  became  grave,  and  some 
of  them  tendered.  In  this  state,  the  meeting  closed,  much  to 
my  satisfaction.  I  felt  great  tenderness  for  them,  remember- 
ing that  though  Paul  might  plant  and  Apollos  water,  yet  it  was 
God  only  who  could  give  the  increase  ;  here  I  felt  easy  to  leave 
them. 

The  day  following,  we  crossed  the  river  to  the  British  side, 
and  went  to  a  small  settlement  of  Friends  in  the  county  of 
Leeds,  where  we  arrived  the  6th  of  12th  month.  On 
sixth  day,  lib.  of  12th  month  we  had  a  meeting  with 
Friends  and  others ;  found  the  state  of  society  low  ;  too 
too  many  at  ease;  were  it  not  for  a  few  faithful  ones 
among  them,  who  labor  under  much  discouragement,  the  testi- 
mony of  of  Truth  must  fall.  I  was  enabled  to  relieve  my  mind. 
Not  being  able  to  get  a  pilot  to  go  forward,  we  lay  by,  seventh 
day,  and  had  notice  given.    •  The  meeting  on  first  day  was 


356  JOURNAL   OF 

large  ;  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  flowed  freely,  and  went  forth 
in  good  authority.  Truth  rose  into  dominion.  Blessed  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord.  Second  day,  we  started  for  Kingston,  and 
on  third  day  we  got  to  the  widow  Ferris'.  Fourth  day,  at  eve- 
ning, we  had  a  meeting  in  Kingston.  Next  day,  at  Waterloo. 
Sixth  day,  we  passed  on  for  Adolphus  town,  and  were  with 
Friends  on  first  day,  the  16th.  All  three  of  those  meetings 
were  small ;  two  of  them  reduced  by  the  disorganizing  spirit 
that  hath  prevailed.  Yet,  amid  all  this  stripping  there  was 
comfort  felt  in  finding  at  every  place,  there  were  those  who 
stood  faithfully  concerned  to  maintain  the  testimonies  of  Truth ; 
and  the  Lord  was  not  only  pleased  to  sustain,  but  often  times 
to  meet  witJi  them  in  their  assemblies ;  to  strengthen  and 
sweetly  comfort  them.  From  Adolphus  we  went  to  West 
Lake,  and  had  an  appointed  meeting  there  before  the  Monthly 
Meeting  came  on ;  it  was  a  large,  solid,  favored  meeting.  The 
day  following,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Hilyard,  where,  after,  sit- 
ting in  much  poverty  of  spirit,  a  living  spring  in  Gospel  love 
was  felt  to  arise,  and  in  carefully  attending  to  it,  it  increased  to 
a  lively  stream,  and  plentifully  watered  the  garden. 

We  returned  and  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  West 
Lake,  where  it  was  my  lot  to  feel  my  mind  depressed,  and 
stripped  of  all  lively  feelings  for  awhile ;  but  sitting  in  resigna- 
tion to  my  lot,  and  gathering  into  stillness,  I  was  favored  to 
feel,  though  very  small,  the  gentle  arising  of  Gospel  life,  and 
attending  thereto  in  deep  humillity  and  simplicity,  it  became  a 
river,  not  only  to  the  ankles,  but  to  the  waist,  and  a  river  to 
swim  in.  The  service  of  the  day  appeared  to  settle  on  the  as- 
sembly as  the  dew  on  the  tender  grass,  and  distil  as  the  rain, 
to  the  tendering  of  many  minds.  The  business  was  conducted 
pretty  regularly.  Thence  we  went  to  Cold  Creek,  and  put  up 
at  the  widow  Terrill's.  The  next  day  attended  meeting  in  that 
place  ;  it  was  a  suffering  time  until  Truth  arose,  and  gathered 
the  minds  of  the  people  into  a  solemn  quiet. 

The  next  place  we  stopped  at  was  Haldimand,  where  we 
had  a  meeting  with  the  few  Friends  and  their  neighbors,  where 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  857 

the  Gospel  spring  flowed  lively,  to  the  tendering  of  many 
minds.  May  it  rest  long  on  them.  The  meeting  closed  great- 
ly to  my  satisfaction.  The  25th  of  12th  month,  we  went  for- 
ward to  Pickering,  where  the  meeting  had  been  greatly  shat- 
tered ;  some  of  the  few  Friends  who  kept  to  our  ancient  prin- 
ciples felt  as  though  they  had  done  so  nicely,  that  they  ap- 
peared in  imminent  danger  of  settling  down  at  ease,  to  their 
own  hurt,  while  others  appeared  pretty  well  concerned  to  keep 
their  ranks  in  the  Truth.  My  labors  in  this  meeting  were  ar- 
duous and  searching.  The  following  day,  we  had  a  meeting  at 
TJxbridge,  where,  for  want  of  a  true  watchful  concern,  the  life 
of  religion  was  very  low.  We  proceeded  to  Whitchurch,  where 
there  appeared  to  be  a  little  band  of  well  concerned  Friends, 
who  were  kept  out  of  their  meeting-house  by  the  Hicksites,  and 
had  to  meet  in  an  old  school-house  ;  but  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church  was  pleased  to  meet  with  us,  to  our  comfort. 

We  next  went  to  Yonge  street,  where  we  fell  in  company 
with  Jacob  Green,  from  Ireland — a  goodly  Friend,  and  edify- 
ing Minister.  On  sixth  day,  the  4th  of  1st  month,  1833,  we 
went  to  Tecumseh,  a  small  meeting  and  settlement  of  mostly 
youngerly  Friends,  with  whom  we  had  a  meeting  on  seventh 
day.  It  was  a  comforting  time;  the  Holy  presence  of  the 
Great  Head  of  the  Church  being  sensibly  felt  amongst  us. 
Blessed  be  His  name !  After  meeting  we  returned  to  Yonge 
street,  and  attended  their  meeting  on  first  day ;  it  was  large 
and  the  fore  part  was  dull,  and  a  deeply  suflfering  time  ;  but  as 
resignation  was  kept  to,  the  Master  of  Israel's  assemblies  an- 
nointed  with  the  influence  of  holy  strength,  the  word  of  Truth 
went  forth  in  Gospel  authority,  and  reigned  over  all,  to  the 
tendering  of  many  minds.  May  the  Lord  bless  the  favor  of  the 
day,  to  the  everlasting  good  of  the  people  ! 

On  second  day,  being  fatigued,  I  lay  by  to  rest.  Third  day, 
we  had  a  meeting  at  a  small  village  called  Beverly,  a  larger 
collection  than  I  expected.  The  word  of  Truth  flowed  freely, 
attended  with  that  solemn  weight,  that  it  appeared  to  rest  on 
the  minds  of  the  people,  like  the  dew  on  the  tender  grass. 


358  JOURNAL     OP 

May  the  Lord  render  the  favor  of  His  visitation,  a  blessing  to 
that  people,  for  many  days  yet  to  come  ! 

Fourth  day,  we  were  at  Asa  Rogers'.  Fifth  day,  I  attended 
their  Preparative  Meeting,  in  which  I  was  enabled  to  relieve 
my  mind,  and  felt  clear.  Sixth  day,  we  took  our  departure  for 
the  Half  Year's  Meeting,  near  West  Lake.  We  stopped  at 
Whitby,  and  had  a  meeting  with  the  people  of  that  place — a 
suffering  and  laborious  season,  owing  to  the  state  of  ease  the 
people  were  in.  I  had  to  speak  to  them  in  a  plain,  close  way, 
and  though  painful  to  me,  so  to  do,  I  felt  the  reward  of  sweet 
peace  for  being  faithful.  After  this,  we  made  no  other  stop, 
except  for  our  accommodation,  until  we  got  to  West  Lake,  and 
put  up  with  Jonathan  Clark,  on  sixth  day,  the  18th.  First  day, 
the  20th,  we  attended  that  meeting,  where  Truth,  in  its  own 
I  authority  rose  into  dominion,  to  the  comfort  of  the  upright, 
and  the  encouragement  of  the  sincere  in  heart.  Thence  to 
Thurlow,  and  had  a  meeting  with  the  few  Friends  and  others 
there.  Also  two  meetings  in  Sidney.  In  all  these,  the  Master 
of  Israel's  assemblies  was  pleased  to  favor  with  his  owning 
presence,  and  richly  favored,  with  suitable  matter  and  utterance. 
Blessed  be  His  holy  name ! 

We  returned  to  Judah  Bowerman's,  on  fifth  day,  and  on 
sixth  day  evening,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Hollowell,  which  was 
laborious.  Holy  help  was  given  to  hold  forth  the  Truth  in 
plainness,  and  it  appeared  to  be  well  received  by  the  people. 
Seventh  day,  we  lay  by.  First  day,  the  27th,  we  had  a  crowded 
meeting  near  Little  Lake,  among  a  raw  people  ;  many  of  them 
made  no  profession  of  religion,  yet  they  were  very  attentive. 
The  doctrines  of  Truth  were  largely  communicated  ;  the  meet- 
ing became  settled  into  stillness,  from  a  restless  state,  and  closed 
in  quietude.  May  the  Lord  grant  that  the  labors  of  this  day, 
be  like  the  bread  cast  on  the  waters,  to  be  gathered  in  time  yet 
to  come. 

The  Half  Year's  Meeting  commenced  with  that  for  Ministers 
and  Elders,  the  29th  of  1st  month — a  deeply  suffering  time  to 
me ;  being  made  sensible  that  human  wisdom  was  too  much 


JOSEPH  HOAG.  359 

acte(i  in,  while  transacting  their  business,  and  Divine  wisdom 
not  even  sought  for  by  many  of  them  so  that  the  poor  in  spirit 
who  had  no  wisdom  but  the  Truth  to  lean  upon,  often  went 
with  their  hands  upon  their  loins,  when  they  saw  their  beloved 
turned  out  of  doors,  and  true  judgment  trodden  under  foot.  I 
was  enabled  to  clear  my  mind  on  this  subject  in  plain  dealing. 
The  day  following,  they  were  long  and  dull  in  doing  their  bu- 
siness, and  of  course  got  but  little  done,  owing  to  a  worldly 
wise  spirit,  that  influenced  many  who  appeared  determined 
that  true  judgment  should  not  be  brought  to  the  line,  or  right- 
eousness to  the  plumb-line  ;  and  in  order  to  carry  points,  out- 
door plans  were  laid,  and  practiced  in  meetings ;  they  had  to 
adjourn  to  another  day  to  finish  their  business,  in  which  some 
important  matters  were  carried  by  misrule,  deeply  wounding 
the  feelings  of  their  brethren. 

After  this  meeting,  we  set  forward  for  Norwich,  and  got  to 
Pickerinfif,  attending  that  meeting  on  first  day,  which  was  a 
favored,  refreshing  time.  We  passed  on  round  the  head  of  the 
Lake,  to  Daniel  Crossthwaite's,  where  we  had  a  meeting  to 
our  own  satisfaction,  and  that  of  the  people.  We  continued 
our  journey  until  we  got  to  Job  Peckham's,  in  Norwich,  on 
sixth  day  evening,  the  8th  of  2d  month,  where  we  staid  until 
first  day,  and  attended  their  meeting.  Here,  I  found  many 
sick,  and  death  in  the  pot,  and  much  bitterness  in  the  minds 
of  some  against  their  better  brethren  ;  but  Truth  enabled  me 
to  clear  my  mind  for  that  time.  After  it,  we  had  a  meeting 
in  the  lower  settlement,  with  a  little  remnant  who  staid  with 
Friends,  the  most  of  that  meeting  having  gone  ofi"  with  the 
Hicksites.  In  this  meeting,  we  were  favord  with  the  company 
of  the  dear  Redeemer,  to  our  comfort  and  encouragement. 
The  Monthly  Meeting  coming  on  fourth  day,  we  staid  and  at- 
tended it,  where  I  had  to  pass  through  deep,  painful  feehngs, 
which  made  my  heart  to  ache,  in  seeing  the  discipline  trodden 
under  foot,  and  those  who  wished  to  have  it  so,  justified.  I 
was  strengthened  again  to  bear  a  faithful  testimony  in  the  plain- 
ness of  Truth, 


360  JOURNAL   OF 

Thence  we  went  to  Yarmoutli,  and  had  two  meetings  in  that 
town,  and  one  at  a  place  called  Nova  Scotia  Settlement,  in  all 
which  it  pleased  the  Head  of  the  Church  to  give  strength  in 
weakness ;  for  it  was  my  lot  between  meetings,  almost  contin- 
ually to  pass  under  great  poverty  of  spirit,  and  to  feel  great 
weakness.  In  this  way  I  was  led  about  from  place  to  place, 
not  knowing  what  would  come  next,  until  I  was  brought  into 
action,  and  the  Master  laid  it  upon  me  to  hand  out  to  the  peo- 
ple, and  in  simply  attending  to  His  directions,  I  have  witnessed 
a  being  raised  out  of  great  poverty  and  weakness,  and  clothed 
with  strength  to  run  through  a  troop,  and  leap  over  the  walls 
of  opposition,  and  the  Truth  to  rise  into  dominion  over  all. 
Blessed,  and  forever  adored,  be  the  name  of  the  Lord,  my  God ! 
We  returned  to  Norwich  and  attended  the  fourth  day  meeting, 
where  my  good  Master  strung  my  bow  and  tuned  my  harp,  and 
enabled  me  to  clear  my  mind,  in  so  full  and  plain  a  manner, 
that  I  felt  clear  of  them,  whether  they  will  hear,  or  whether 
they  will  forbear. 

We  arrived  at  Pelham,  on  seventh  day,  the  23d.  First  day, 
we  attended  a  meeting  there  ;  the  presence  of  the  Lord  being 
felt  amongst  a  little  band  who  had  been  closely  peeled,  but  not 
forsaken.  We  then  proceeded  to  Lockport,  in  the  State  of 
New  York,  where  we  had  a  favored  meeting  on  fifth  day.  On 
sixth  day,  the  1st  of  3d  month,  we  had  a  suffering  meeting  at 
Hartland,  and  put  up  with  Benoni  Sprague,  where  we  were 
blocked  up  by  a  boisterous  snow  storm.  We  next  proceeded 
to  Rochester  and  had  a  meeting  in  the  town  ;  then  one  in  Ma- 
cedon,  and  attended  Farmington  meeting  on  first  day,  at  the 
old  house.  In  the  evening,  we  had  a  meeting  in  Macedon  vil- 
lage. On  second  day,  we  set  forward  for  Pennsylvania,  and  on 
third  day  night,  we  arrived  amongst  Friends  at  Hector,  where, 
finding  their  Monthly  Meeting  was  the  next  day,  we  attended 
it.  Fifth  and  sixth  days,  drove  to  Friendsville,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  put  up  with  John  Hudson.  Finding  there 
was  a  small  meeting  of  Friends  held  in  the  place,  we  concluded 
to  proceed  to  Jehu  Lord's,  and  lay  by  on  seventh  day.     On 


JOSEPH  HOAG.  361 

^rst  day,  tlie  l7th,  we  met  with  Friends  and  others  of  that 
place — a  mixed  multitude,  and  crowded  meeting,  which  caused 
close  labor ;  but  the  Truth  made  its  way  through  all  opposi- 
tion, and  arose  triumphant. 

Second  day,  we  set  forward  for  Stroudsburg;  the  roads  be- 
ing exceedingly  muddy,  it  took  three  days,  but  we  got  through 
in  season  to  attend  the  Monthly  Meeting,  which  was  small, 
having  been  reduced  by  a  number  running  into  infidel  princi- 
ples ;  yet  they  conducted  the  business  regularly  and  in  harmo- 
ny. In  this  meeting  I  had  the  indulgence  to  sit  in  peaceful  si- 
lence, which  I  esteemed  a  favor ;  but  not  feeling  clear,  I  ap- 
pointed a  meeting  on  sixth  day,  which  gave  an  opportunity  to 
relieve  my  mind  considerably  ;  yet  not  feeling  clear  to  leave,  I 
concluded  to  stay  over  first  day,  the  24th  of  3d  month,  at  our 
kind  friend,  Daniel  Stroud's.  We  attended  their  meeting, 
where  a  number  present  appeared  in  a  very  unsettled  state  of 
mind.  I  was  dipped  into  a  sense  of  their  dark  state  of  insen- 
sibility, and  had  to  warn  them  seriously ;  it  was  a  painful,  ex- 
ercising meeting,  and  there  appeared  a  determination  in  some 
of  them,  not  to  receive  or  believe  the  Truth,  so  that  I  parted 
with  them  under  the  impression  of  sorrow.  We  left  on  sec- 
ond day,  and  arrived  at  Plumstead  on  third  day  evening,  and 
had  a  meeting  there  on  fourth  day,  and  one  at  Buckingham 
on  fifth  day — both  favored  meetings.  Sixth  day,  we  went  to 
Christopher  Healey's,  where  we  were  on  seventh  day.  First  day, 
the  31st,  we  attended  Falls  Meeting ;  there  being  a  goodly  num- 
ber of  Friends  who  had  kept  their  places  through  the  struggle 
which  produced  the  great  rent  in  our  Society.  We  returned  to 
Buckingham  Monthly  Meeting  on  second  day,  which  was  much 
larger  than  we  expected.  They  conducted  their  business  in  peace 
and  good  order.  Third  day,  we  attended  Wrightsto  wn  Monthly 
Meeting,  the  weakest  that  I  ever  remember  of  attending — a 
painful,  exercising  one  to  me.  We  next  attended  Middleton, 
on  fourth  day  ;  it  was  small,  yet  they  conducted  their  business 
in  pretty  good  order,  and  appeared  concerned  to  sustain  the 
reputation  of  the  Monthly  Meeting.  I  had  pretty  good  satis- 
23 


862  JOURNAL   OF 

faction  with  the  little  band  of  that  place.  Filth  day,  we  at- 
tended Falls  Monthly  Meeting,  where  we  met,  I  think,  with  the 
largest  body  of  Friends  in  a  Monthly  Meeting  capacity  that 
we  had  fell  in  with  since  we  left  Canada.  The  good  Shepherd, 
who  goeth  before  His  sheep,  and  puts  them  forth,  was  pleased 
not  only  to  furnish  matter,  but  to  give  strength  and  utterance. 
The  testimony  went  forth  in  its  own  authority.  I  felt  fully  clear 
after  meeting.  On  sixth  day  morning  we  rode  to  Middletown, 
and  put  up  with  David  Comfort,  and  staid  until  seventh  day, 
when  he  took  us  into  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  to  Ellis  Yam- 
all's,  in  season  to  attend  all  the  meetings  but  one,  before  the 
Yearly  Meeting,  and  also  that  of  Darby.  In  all  of  them,  I  was 
enabled  to  clear  my  mind,  so  as  to  feel  pretty  well  relieved. 
The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  commenced  on 
seventh  day,  and  the  Yearly  Meeting  ended  on  seventh  day  fol- 
lowing. I  was  favored  to  attend  all  the  sittings,  and  mercifully 
indulged  to  pass  them  all  in  silence,  with  the  enjoyment  of 
peaceful  poverty  of  spirit. 

On  first  day  morning,  I  attended  Orange  street  meeting; 
therein  my  mind  was  enlarged ;  Truth  flowed  free  and  lively — 
a  refreshing  time  to  me.  On  second  day,  I  went  out  to  By- 
berry,  and  had  a  meeting  on  third  day,  with  the  few  Friends. 
Notice  being  given,  quite  a  number,  not  of  our  Society,  attend- 
ed, so  as  nearly  to  fill  the  house ;  amongst  whom,  were  several 
of  those  who  had  seceded  from  us.  Truth  went  forth  in  its 
own  authority,  and  arose  in  its  own  power  and  dominion  over 
all  dark  spirits.  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord  Almighty, 
who  giveth  strength  in  the  day  of  battle  ! 

On  seventh  day  morning,  the  27th,  I  returned  to  the  city,  in 
season  to  attend  the  Monthly  Meeting  for  the  Western  District. 
There  the  Master  of  Israel's  assembhes  was  pleased  to  open  the 
well-spring  of  life,  and  water  His  heritage.  Blessed  and  adored 
be  His  goodness,  for  evermore  ! 

On  fifth  day,  I  attended  Arch  street  meeting,  where  Mildred 
RadclifF  and  another  woman  Friend,  were  much  favored  in  tes- 
timony to  the  comfort  of  their  Friends.     Sixth  day,  I  went  to 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  363 

Marion,  and  tad  a  meeting  witli  the  few  Friends  there,  much 
to  my  satisfaction,  and  returned  to  the  city.  Seventh  day,  we 
crossed  the  Delaware  River,  and  went  to  Burlington,  and  at- 
tended the  morning  meeting,  entirely  closed  up,  without  suf- 
fering. In  the  afternoon,  way  opened  in  the  springing  of  the 
Gospel,  to  bear  a  short  testimony  to  the  relief  of  mind ;  I  de- 
parted in  peace,  and  went  to  Springfield,  where  we  had  a  fa- 
vored meeting ;  for  the  Holy  Shepherd  of  Israel,  in  the  clear- 
ness of  Gospel  light  and  life,  furnished  with  matter  and  utter- 
ance to  divide,  and  apply. to  the  several  states  before  me;  full 
telief  was  given ;  peace  flowed  as  a  river.  Blessed  be  His  ho- 
ly name ! 

The  next  meeting  was  at  Mount  Holly,  where  they  were 
much  stripped  by  the  rent  that  had  taken  place  ;  yet  I  thought 
they  were  in  a  better  state  than  they  were,  when  I  was  there 
some  years  before,  when  their  meeting  was  large.  I  think  I 
was  rightly  authorized  to  encourage  them ;  if  they  abode  faith- 
ful there  would  come  a  returning  Spring,  when  they  would  not 
only  bud  and  blossom,  but  he  nourished  to  bring  forth  good, 
acceptable  fruit  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church.  We  passed 
on  to  Rancocas,  the  meeting  is  pretty  large  ;  there  appeared  to 
be  a  number  of  well-concerned  Friends,  yet  with  the  younger 
class  too  much  of  a  worldly  spirit  prevailed.  My  labors  were 
exercising  and  plain,  rewarded  with  peace.  The  following 
meeting  at  Westfield  was  reduced  by  the  revolt  amongst  them  ; 
a  stripped  remnant  appeared  concerned  to  keep  up  their  little 
meeting  in  fgiithfulness.  The  presence  of  the  good  Shepherd 
was  felt  amongst  them,  to  our  comfort,  and  their  encouragment. 

We  then  went  to  Newtown  and  Haddonfield.  In  both  those 
meetings,  the  testimony  was  deeply  exercising,  yet  Truth  rose 
in  dominion.  Thence,  on  first  day,  to  Cropwell.  We  attend- 
ded  a  large,  favored  meeting  on  second  day,  at  Moorestown, 
where  the  Gospel  spring  ran  freely,  greatly  to  the  relief  of  my 
mind,  and  tendering  of  many  minds  in  the  assembly.  On  third 
day,  we  had  a  meeting  at  Easton,  to  my  satisfaction,  and  the 


364  JOURNAL    OP 

comfort  of  honest  Friends,  wlio  had  suffered  by  the  bearing 
down  disposition  of  the  seceder^. 

Fourth  day,  we  attended  Springfield  Monthly  Meeting.  It 
was  small,  being  reduced,  by  many  leaving  Society  ;  the  rem- 
nant that  were  left,  appeared  well  resigned,  and  engaged  to 
maintain  the  good  order,  in  support  of  our  Society,  conducting 
their  business  regularly.  After  meeting,  we  went  to  Joseph 
Haine's,  where  we  were  on  fifth  day,  the  9th  of  5th  month. 
Sixth  day,  we  attended  Lower  Evesham  Monthly  Meeting. 
Seventh  day,  at  Upper  Evesham  Monthly  Meeting — both  fa- 
vored meetings.  First  day,  we  attended  the  Upper  meeting 
again,  greatly  to  the  relief  of  my  mind.  Second  day,  we  went 
to  Tuckertown,  on  Little  Egg  Harbor,  and  had  a  meeting  with 
Friends  and  others.  Fourth  day,  we  attended  Barnegat  meet- 
ing. Fifth  day,  we  proceeded  to  Shrewsbury,  and  on  sixth 
day  we  had  a  comfortable  meeting  with  them.  We  made  our 
home  with  the  widow  Elizabeth  Williams,  the  iVth  of  the 
month.  The  18th,  we  went  to  Plainfield,  and  had  a  pretty  full 
favored  meeting  there  the  next  day.  After  this  meeting,  I  felt 
easy  to  take  my  departure,  to  attend  our  own  Yearly  Meeting 
at  New  York.  We  reached  the  city  on  the  21st,  and  the  day 
following,  attended  their  mid-week  meeting,  and  found  I  was 
in  my  place,  and  general  satisfaction  I  think  was  given.  I  lay 
by  until  the  Yearly  Meeting  came  on,  and  attended  all  the  sit- 
tings, wherein  business  was  conducted  in  harmony  and  conde- 
scension, ending  in  the  quiet.  Sixth  day,  I  met  with  my  wife 
in  the  city,  and  had  her  company  through  the  Yearly  Meeting, 
and  up  the  river  as  far  as  Troy.  There  she  took  land  convey- 
ance ;  I  kept  to  the  water  some  miles  further,  and  landed  at 
Stillwater,  where  a  carriage  came  for  me  the  same  day,  and 
took  me  to  Schaghticoke  Point.  My  wife  arrived  there  first, 
and  had  appointed  a  meeting  there  for  the  day  following.  I 
stayed  and  attended  it  with  her,  and  was  well  satisfied  with  the 
meeting.  She  went  on  for  home.  I  had  to  wait  for  my  car- 
riage to  come,  which  arrived  at  night  the  day  she  left  me  in 
the  morning.    We  started  for  Granville  and  arrived  in  good 


JOSEPH   HOAG»  365 

season.  My  wife  had  stopped  on  the  way,  and  had  appointed 
a  meeting,  so  that  she  got  in  but  little  before  me ;  and  finding 
their  Monthly  Meeting  was  coming  on  the  next  day  but  one, 
we  both  stayed  and  attended  it,  and  felt  glad  that  we  did. 
Then  quietly  left  for  home,  and  arrived  there  the  fore  part  of 
6th  month,  1833. 

[From  this  time  forward,  there  has  been  no  further  memoranda  kept 
by  Joseph  Hoag,  of  his  travels,  or  rehgious  exercises.  Probably  occa- 
sioned by  his  inabihty  to  write,  from  advanced  age,  being  in  his  12d 
year.] 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

[The  following,  is  neatly  vertabim  what  was  delivered  by  our  aged 
Friend,  Joseph  Hoag,  at  the  meeting  referred  to  below,  and  has  been 
corroborated  by  the  testimony  of  Starksboro  Monthly  Meeting,  and  other 
reliable  witnesses.] 

In  tlie  Fall  of  tlie  year,  1837,  at  Starksboro  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, held  at  Lincoln,  Vermont,  Joseph  Hoag,  in  a  solemn  and 
impressive  way,  spoke  at  considerable  length,  of  the  severe  tri- 
als that  Friends  had  passed  through  in  many  places,  within 
several  Yearly  Meetings,  whilst  this  Monthly  Meeting  had  been 
preserved  from  the  Hicksite  ravages.  He  then  adverted  to  the 
doctrines,  practices,  self-denying  and  cross-bearing  life  of  our 
fore-fathers  in  the  Truth ;  to  whom  their  peculiar  testimonies 
were  as  life  to  them,  and  brought  them  together  to  be  one  peo- 
ple in  religious  fellowship.  Far  is  this  from  that  state  of  de- 
lusion, brought  painfully  to  view  at  this  time,  when  professors 
of  our  name,  let  loose  the  restraints  of  Gospel  truths,  and  peace- 
able practices  that  bound  them  together  at  first,  and  instead 
thereof,  be  found,  little  by  little  to  shun  the  cross,  mingle  more 
and  more  with  the  world,  in  its  ways  of  glitter,  pride,  wealth, 
and  supposed  refinement,  from  primitive  principles  of  a  self- 
denying,  cross-bearing  life,  to  one  more  in  the  will  and  wisdom 
of  the  creatures,  which  seeks  to  change  its  own  views,  holding 
to  great  pretentions  of  firmness  and  zeal  and  to  former  name  and 
action,  to  screen  them  from  shame.  From  these,  and  causes 
growing  therefrom,  this  society  will  be  brought  into  greater 
trials  than  they  have  heretofore  witnessed  beginning  at  the 
heads  of  the  tribes,  who  have  gone  into  spiritual  pride,  from 
high  stations  down  to  the  rear  ranks,  and  Friends  will  be  tried 


JOSEPH   HO  AG.  367 

to  a  Hairs-breadth,  brayed  as  in  a  Mortar,  and  sifted  from  sieve 
to  sieve ;  yet  a  remnant  will  be  preserved  tbrough  these  trials. 
I  may  not  live  to  see  it,  but  there  are  those  who  are  in  this 
house  that  will — adding—"  Friends,  you  may  pen  it  down  if  you 
please,  as  it  will  cause  a  greater  split,  than  that  we  have  passed 
through."  The  solemnity  attendant  at  that  memorable  time,  is 
still  lively,  in  the  remembrance  of  many  then  present. 

[The  following  account  of  the  travels  and  reUgious  meetings  attended 
by  Joseph  Soag  in  Ohio  and  Indiana  Yearly  Meetings  in  1840-41,  was 
kept  by  his  kind  Friend  and  companion,  Job  S.  Collins,  of  Utica.] 

They  left  Utica,  the  6th  of  lih  month,  1840,  in  a  boat  bound 
for  Buffalo,  and  arrived  safe  at  Lockport,  the  lOtb ;  dined  at 
Jesse  P.  Haine's.  From  thence  to  Mead  Atwater's,  put  up 
there,  staid  over  first  day,  and  attended  their  meeting  held  at 
Lockport.  From  thence  to  Buffalo,  where  we  took  the  steam- 
boat for  Huron,  in  Ohio,  and  landed  there  on  the  15th.  From 
thence  to  Joseph  Healy's,  in  Greenwich,  twenty-eight  miles, 
where  we  arrived  about  noon.  1  Vth,  attended  an  appointed  meet- 
ing there  ;  that  meeting  having  been  laid  down  in  consequence 
of  improper  management  therein.  After  meeting  we  returned  to 
J.  Healy's.  18th,  Willis  R.  Smith  took  us  in  his  carriage 
thirty-two  miles.  We  staid  one  night  at  A.  Carey's.  19th,  had 
an  appointed  meeting  two  miles  out  of  the  village,  called  San* 
dusky  Meeting,  after  which,  we  staid  the  night  at  Benjamin 
Carey's.  Thence  to  Samuel  Peasley's,  and  staid  the  night. 
21st,  attended  Gilead  Monthly  Meeting.  22d,  attended  an  ap- 
pointed meeting  at  Westland.  23d,  attended  AUum  Creek 
Monthly  Meeting,  and  put  up  at  William  Benedict's.  24th,  in 
company  with  Samuel  Peasley,  we  started  for  Lewisburg,  forty 
miles  distant.  25th,  had  an  appointed  meeting  there,  and  rode 
eight  miles  to  Goshen ;  staid  at  Martin  Norraon's.  26th,  attend- 
ed their  mid-week  meeting.  27th,  attended  Westland  meeting 
held  in  the  woods,  the  house  not  being  large  enough  to  hold  the 
people.  After  meeting,  returned  to  Thomas  Pjearson's,  and  staid 
at  his  house.  Samuel  Peasley  then  returned  home.  28th,  we 
started  for  Carmel,  ten  miles ;  put  up  at  Thomas  Cowgill's.  9fch, 


368  JOURNAL   OF 

attended  Carmel  Meeting.  SOtli,  in  company  with  Henry  Pick- 
erill,  we  started  for  Centre  Quarterly  Meeting,  Warren  county, 
Ohio,  fifty  miles  distant,  and  arrived  at  Nathaniel  Carpenter*s, 
where  Joseph  was  taken  sick  and  was  not  able  to  attend  the 
Quarterly  Meeting.  He  remained  sick  about  five  weeks,  his 
life  being  often  despaired  of  by  his  nurse  and  physician ;  yet  he 
recovered  his  health  so  far  as  to  be  able  to  ride  out.  He  then 
gave  out  appointments  for  four  meetings  near  each  other,  occa- 
sioning seventeen  miles  travel.     The  last  one  being  held  at 

Wilmington,  near  John  M ^  where  Joseph  again  lay  sick  two 

weeks.  When  recovered,  we  went  on  to  Turtle  Creek  Meeting. 
From  thence  to  Springfield  Monthly  Meeting,  held  15th  of  9th 
month,  1840.  It  was  an  interesting  meeting ;  the  young  people 
whose  countenances  bespoke  innocence  and  integrity  of  heart, 
were  an  ornament  to  their  parents,  and  an  encouraging  pros- 
pect to  the  society  of  Friends.  16th,  we  proceeded  down  the 
Creek  five  or  six  miles,  and  attended  a  small  meeting,  held  in 
a  brick  Meeting  house.  iVth,  we  traveled  to  Harveysburg,  and 
attended  their  mid-week  meeting;  dined  at  Doct.  Harvey's. 
From  thence  we  went  12  miles  to  Jonathan  Johnson's,  in 
Wainsville.  18th,  had  an  appointed  meeting  there ;  thence  12 
miles  to  Springborough ;  on  account  of  Joseph  being  sick,  we 
remained  two  weeks  at  Solomon  Miller's,  and  were  kindly  en- 
tertained by  him  and  his  wife,  who  arranged  to  accommodate 
with  their  horse  and  carriage  to  attend  several  meetings  at  Su- 
gar Creek  and  Springborough.  In  attending  those  meetings 
we  traveled  fifteen  miles.  The  11th  of  10th  month,  Jacob 
Taylor  took  us  to  Cincinnati,  to  Ephraim  Morgan's,  where  we 
fell  in  company  with  Enos  T.  Robinson,  from  England,  and 
John  Scott,  from  Maryland.  15th,  we  attended  Cincinnati 
Monthly  Meeting.  16th,  we  started  in  a  steamboat  for  Beaver 
Falls,  500  miles  up  the  river,  where  we  landed  the  21st,  about 
one  o'clock  at  night.  22d,  we  took  coach  for  New  Brighton, 
where  I  left  Joseph  at  his  son's,  and  returned  home. 

Fourth  month,  8th,  1841,  I  left  home  in  order  to  accompany 
Joseph  Hoag  through  the  remaining  part  of  his  religious  visit 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  369 

to  Ohio  and  Indiana  Yearly  Meetings.  I  arrived  at  Joseph  D. 
Hoag's,  at  Brighton,  Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  the  15th, 
where  I  found  my  aged  Friend  in  tolerable  health  for  traveling. 
18th,  we  took  steamboat,  for  Pittsburg.  19th,  took  the  boat 
for  Redstone,  60  miles;  arrived  there  the  20th.  21st,  attend- 
ed their  Preparative  Meeting.  2 2d,  (the  first  day  of  our  aged 
traveler's  eightieth  year,)  rode  11  miles  to  Pike  Run,  had  a 
meeting  there,  and  staid  the  night  at  Amos  Grifiith's.  Next 
day  after  meeting  rode  six  miles  to  Westland,  and  staid  at 
George  Smith's.  24th,  we  had  an  appointed  meeting  there, 
after  which  we  dined  at  Mildred  RadclifF's.  26th,  returned  to 
Eli  Haine's,  at  Redstone.  28th,  attended  their  Select  Monthly 
Meeting.  29th,  attended  the  Monthly  Meeting.  30th,  went 
to  Providence,  and  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  5th 
month,  2d,  attended  Centre  Meeting  and  staid  the  night  after, 
at  John  Lippincot's,  returned  to  Providence,  and  put  up  at 
Samuel  Cope's.  Third  we  arrived  at  Sewickley.  4th,  had  an 
appointed  meeting  there.  5th,  we  went  to  Youghiogeny  Riv- 
er ;  thence  by  boat  to  Pittsburg,  28  miles.  Next  morning  took 
steamboat  for  Wheeling,  and  arrived  there  that  evening.  8th, 
took  coach  for  St.  Clairsville.  9th,  attended  an  appointed 
meeting  there,  and  went  to  Benjamin  Vail's,  at  Plainfield.  10th, 
attended  meeting  there.  After  which,  John  Yail  went  with  us 
to  Stillwater ;  we  put  up  at  our  kind  Friend,  Benjamin  Hoyle's, 
11th,  attended  their  Meeting.  After  which,  our  kind  Friend, 
Jacob  Crew  took  us  to  his  house,  and  on  the  12th,  took  us  to 
the  Ridge  Meeting.  13th,  attended  Sommerton  Meeting. 
Thence  attended  meeting  at  Sunbury,  Richland,  Goshen,  and 
the  Select  Meeting  at  Stillwater.  23d,  attended  meeting  at 
Stillwater.  24th,  attended  Ridge  Monthly  Meeting.  Thence  re- 
turned to  Stillwater ;  30th,  attended Pennsville  meeting ;  thence 
to  Chesterfield  Meeting,  which  was  large  ;  thence  to  Plymouth, 
and  had  a  meeting  there  on  the  3d,  and  arrived  at  Cincinnati, 
5th  of  6th  month,  and  attended  meeting  there  the  6th.  Then 
had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Elk.  Thence  to  New  Hope,  and 
attended  meeting  there.     10th,  at  Westfield  Select  Quarterly 


370  JOURNAL   OF 

Meeting,  held  at  Salem.  11th,  attended  with  the  African  Com- 
mittee. 12th,  attended  Westfield  Quarterly  Meeting,  where 
Joseph  was  highly  favored.  13th,  attended  their  meeting,  and 
an  appointed  meeting  at  3  o'clock,  at  Silver  Greek.  Thence 
to  Millborough — Joseph  was  favored  at  both  the  last  meetings. 
On  second  day,  we  attended  meeting,  at  Poplar  Ridge,  which 
was  favored.  15th,  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Orange. 
Thence  to  Woodbury,  and  attended  an  appointed  meeting 
at  Chester.  19th,  at  Dover;  then  to  Concord,  and  New  Gar- 
den, on  the  20th.  21st,  at  Newport.  22d,  at  Arby  meeting. 
23d,  Cherry  Grove.  24th,  at  Lynn.  25th,  at  Jericho.  26th 
at  White  River.     2'7th,  at  Duck  Creek,  then  to  Sparrow  Creek, 

L Creek,  Popple  Run,  West  River,    Springfield,  Nettle 

Creek,  and  attended  Westbury  meeting,  the  4th  of  Vth  month, 
first  day ;  then  to  Flat  Rock,  Clear  Spring,  and  the  mid-week 
meeting  at  Spiceland,  on  the  1th ;  thence  to  Duck  Creek,  and 
Elm  Grove,  which  was  fully  attended.  10th,  at  Raysville,  then 
to  Carthage,  Walnut  Ridge,  Little  Blue  River,  Sandy  Creek, 
Driftwood,  Blue  River,  Beech  Grove,  Lick  Creek,  and  Blue 
River  Quarterly  Meeting,  on  the  25th  and  26th.  30th,  had  an 
appointed  meeting  at  Hopewell.  31st,  at  Bethel,  in  Wayne 
county,  Indiana.  8th  month,  1st,  at  Milford  meeting;  then  to 
West  Grove,  Fairfield,  West  Branch,  Mill  Creek,  Concord, 
Randolph  and  Mill  Creek  again.  Then  returned  to  Randolph. 
13th,  Joseph  attended  Waynesville  Select  Meeting.  14th  and 
15th,  at  Miami  Quarterly  Meeting.  l7th,  attended  Mill  Creek 
Monthly  Meeting,  then  to  Union.  19th,  at  West  Branch 
Monthly  Meeting.  20th,  Joseph  attended  the  Select  Quarterly 
Meeting.  21st,  we  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  West 
Branch,  and  on  first  day  following,  the  public  meeting.  25th, 
attended  Monthly  Meeting  at  Richmond.  Then  to  New  Gar- 
den Select  Meeting  and  Quarterly  Meeting.  Next  day  attend- 
tended  the  public  meeting.  Thence  to  Somerton,  Beech  Creek, 
Oak  Ridge,  Deer  Creek,  Missineway,  New  Hope,  and  Centre 
meeting.  Then  moved  forward  for  Allum  Creek  Quarterly 
Meeting,  and  on  the  way  attended  Carmel  Preparative  Meet- 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  371 

ing,  Westland  meeting,  also  a  Select  Preparative  Meeting,  and 
Goslien  Monthly  Meeting.  On  the  23d  of  9th  month,  attended 
Allum  Creek  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  after  it  we  went  to  Wil- 
liam Gidley's.  We  then  attended  Allum  Creek,  Gilead,  and 
Owl  Creek  meetings.  Then  accompanied  by  our  kind  Friend, 
Birthday  Cone,  we  passed  on  to  Joseph  Healey's,  in  Green- 
wich, and  attended  that  meeting.  We  arrived  at  Huron,  the 
2d  of  10th  month.  Thence  by  steamboat  to  Buffalo,  where  we 
arrived  on  the  3d.  We  then  proceeded  to  Lockport  and  at- 
tended an  appointed  meeting  there  on  the  6th.  The  Tth,  we 
attended  Farmington  Quarterly  Mee'ing  for  worship,  and  were 
at  Rochester,  on  first  day,  the  10th,  arriving  safely  at  Utica, 
on  the  15th. 

The  following  account  is  given  by  Benjamin  Taber,  who  took 
Joseph  Hoag  from  Utica  to  his  own  home :  "On  the  21st  of 
10th  month  we  rode  thirty-two  miles,  part  of  the  way  through 
deep  mirey  roads.  22  d,  we  traveled  to  Gal  way  and  lodged  at 
Caleb  Palmer's.  Seventh  day,  23d,  we  rode  thirty-two  miles 
to  Isaac  Mosher's  in  Queensbury,  and  attended  that  meeting  on 
first  day,  the  24th,  and  lodged  with  Caleb  Dean.  Second  day 
we  went  to  Luzerne ;  Uncle  Joseph  appointed  a  meeting  there 
for  the  next  day  at  eleven  o'clock;  after  it  we  returned  to 
Queensbury,  and  attended  their  mid-week  meeting  on  fourth 
day.  We  then  attended  four  appointed  meetings  as  follows  : 
Glenn's  Falls,  Nider,  Gurney  Settlement,  and  Kingsbury ;  the 
latter  a  crowded  meeting  in  a  school-house  ;  all  of  which  were 
seasons  of  favor,  and  spiritual  refreshment ;  especially  the  last 
one  among  the  Baptists,  where  the  outward,  shadowy,  figura- 
tive law  was  brought  to  view,  and  contrasted  with  the  inward 
and  spiritual  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  ;  showing  that  as  the  for- 
mer was  but  as  the  shadow,  or  figure  of  the  substance,  it  must 
decrease  and  give  place,  when  the  substance  was  brought  ex- 
perimentally and  feelingly  to  the  heart.  Then  as  the  former 
decreased,  the  latter  would  increase — as  it  was  practically  abode 
in — to  that  of  perfection  in  holiness,  in  accordance  with  the 
measure  of  the  gift  of  the  grace  of  God.     It  was  a  season  of  fa- 


372  ^  JOURNAL   OF 

vor  to  the  people,  and  one  to  be  remembered.  One  of  tbeir 
deacons  was  so  far  convinced  tbat  he  left  the  Baptists,  and  has 
been  a  pretty  steady  attender  of  Friends  meetings  ever  since. 
First  day,  the  31st,  we  were  at  Queensbury  meeting.  Truth 
owned  the  testimonies  delivered,  and  we  were  enabled  to  leave 
them  with  peaceful  enjoyment,  which  seemed  to  render  our 
journey  pleasant  to  our  homes.  We  traveled  that  afternoon 
fourteen  miles  to  Isaac  Osborne's.  Next  day  rode  to  Cornwell, 
forty-three  miles.  Third  day  morning  the  2d  of  11th  month, 
we  started  very  early,  and  rode  twenty-four  miles  in  season  to 
take  refreshment  before  attending  Ferrisburgh  Select  Prepara- 
tive Meeting ;  thence  to  Uncle's  home." 

As  our  beloved  Friend  Joseph  Hoag,  did  not  keep  any  ac- 
count of  the  preceding  journey  himself,  probably  owing  to  his 
advanced  age  and  infirmities,  the  following  will  no  doubt  be  in- 
teresting to  Friends  generally.  It  appears  by  the  records  of 
Ferrisburg  Monthly  Meeting,  Vermont,  that  he  obtained  a  min- 
ute of  concurrence,  to  perform  a  religious  visit  to  some  parts  of 
Ohio,  and  nearly  all  the  meetings  in  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting, 
which  was  dated  4th  month,  29th,  1840,  which  he  returned 
the  3d  of  11th  month,  1841,  with  returning  minutes  from  West 
Branch,  Red  Stone,  and  several  other  Quarterly  Meetings,  with 
a  large  number  from  different  Monthly  Meetings,  all  expressive 
of  his  company  and  gospel  labors  being  satisfactory ;  except  one, 
which  expressed  that  his  company  and  deportment  were  satis- 
factory. 

After  his  return  home  in  the  11th  month,  1841,  he  attended 
the  Yearly  Meeting  in  New  York,  in  1842,  and  nearly  all  the 
meetings  in  Ferrisburg  Quarter.  Having  obtained  a  minute  of 
concurrence  from  Ferrisburg  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings, 
the  former  dated  the  3d  of  8th  month,  1842,  to  perform  a  re- 
ligious visit  to  the  meetings  of  Friends  within  the  limits  of  In- 
diana Yearly  Meeting,  he  left  home,  in  company  with  Samuel 
Peasley  and  wife,  and  Johanna  Worth,  in  the  9th  month,  1842. 
He  afterwards  visited  most  of  the  meetings  within  Indiana 
Yearly  Meeting,  extending  as  far  west  as  Iowa,  where  he  spent 


JOSEPH   HOAG.  373 

a  considerable  portion  of  one  winter,  with  his  son  Joseph  D. 
who  had  recently  removed  there.  He  returned  back  to  Wil- 
lis and  Ann  Smith's,  at  Greenwich,  Ohio,  from  whom  the  fol- 
lowing account  has  been  received. 

"  We  think  it  was  in  the  latter  part  of  1th.  month,  1844,  that 
Joseph  Hoag  came  to  our  house,  being  desirous  to  go  to  Lake 
Erie  to  embark  for  home.  He  mentioned,  that  though  he  was 
preparing  to  return,  there  was  a  cloud  before  him,  and  that  he 
could  not  see  his  way  clear ;  yet  said,  we  might  prepare  a  car- 
riage for  him  to  start  the  next  morning.  He  got  up  in  the 
morning,  and  went  to  the  door  to  go  out  and  wash  (not  suffer- 
ing water  to  be  brought  to  him),  and  fell  from  the  door  on  the 
ground.  He  was  raised  on  his  feet,  and  still  persisted  in  the 
attempt  to  wash  his  face  and  head,  but  growing  faint,  was 
helped  into  the  house.  We  attempted  to  lay  him  on  the  bed, 
but  it  gave  him  so  much  pain,  he  was  placed  in  an  easy  chair, 
in  which  he  remained,  (though  sometimes  raised  upon  his  feet) 
for  more  than  two  weeks,  without  a  murmur  or  a  groan  that  we 
ever  heard.  After  he  w^s  able  to  converse,  he  said  that  he  now 
saw  the  cause  of  the  cloud  that  was  placed  before  him  ;  that 
his  Master  required  it  of  him  to  go  to  a  Monthly  Meeting, 
which  he  named,  to  assist  a  remnant  of  that  meeting,  who  were 
borne  down  by  the  other  part,  and  said,  that  if  his  Master 
raised  him  up,  he  should  return ;  which  he  did  on  his  recovery,  ' 
to  his  satisfaction,  as  he  expressed  when  he  came  back  to  our 
place.  And  also  said,  now  he  thought  his  work  was  nearly 
done,  that  his  Master  would  send  him  of  no  more  errands ;  and 
appeared  cheerful.  During  his  confinement  at  our  house,  he 
frequently  expressed  his  concern  for  the  Society  of  Friends ; 
also,  that  he  believed  there  was  coming  a  more  trying  time  to 
Friends  than  they  had  ever  known,  because  the  old  dragon 
was  about,  and  had  already  in  some  places,  turned  himself  into 
the  appearance  of  an  angel  of  light,  and  would  draw  many  stars, 
yea  many  who  had  been  bright  stars,  to  the  earth,  by  his  fine 
speeches — but  that  he  believed  there  would  be  a  remnant, 
that  would  be  preserved,  though  in  the  furnace  of  affliction,  and 


374  JOURNAL    OF 

that  this  remnant  would  grow,  and  eventually  fill  the  earth; 
Many,  very  many,  were  the  times  he  expressed  a  concern  for 
some  of  his  own  family,  who  were  in  high  standing,  and  had 
known  the  time  when  they  spoke  tremblingly ;  then  they  were 
on  good  ground,  but  now  he  feared  for  them.     Often  would  he 

exclaim,  *  O,  poor ,  thou  thinkest  thou   art  rich   and 

strong ;  but  if  thou  only  knew  thy  nakedness,  thou  wouldst  sit 
in  sack  cloth  and  ashes.'  We  could  fill  many  sheets  with  his 
expressions  whilst  confined,  but  perhaps  this  may  sufl^ice.  We 
know  that  some  here  and  at  other  places  say,  he  was  childish, 
but  we  believe,  he  was  a  strong  man  in  the  Lord." 

It  appears  from  the  records  of  Ferrisburg  Monthly  Meeting, 
that  he  returned  the  forementioned  minute  the  28th  of  8th 
month,  1844,  with  returning  minutes  from  Indiana  Yearly 
Meeting,  from  Western,  Blue  River,  and  White  Lick  Quarterly 
Meetings,  with  a  large  number  from  different  Monthly  Meet- 
ings, expressive  of  his  company  and  gospel  labors  while  among 
them,  being  satisfactory. 

The  following  was  taken  down  in  his  own  words,  by  his 
daughter,  the  late  Hannah  H.  Battey :  "  I  attended  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  New  York,  in  1845,  which  to  me  was  a  painful,  dis- 
tressing time,  especially  some  of  the  sittings ;  though  unable  to 
hear  one  word  that  was  spoken  in  meetings,  I  believe  I  was  not 
void  of  a  true  sense  of  the  present  situation  of  our  Society.     I 

was  in   company  with ,  and ,  they  carried   high 

heads  and  lofty  looks,  and  appeared  in  high  spirits.  There 
was  a  great  deal  of  conversation ;  I  could  not  hear  it,  but  I  felt 
it,  and  it  distressed  me.  I  found  by  inquiry  that  I  was  not 
mistaken  as  to  the  subjects  conversed  upon.  I  mused  often  up- 
on my  present  as  well  as  former  feelings,  respecting  the  situa- 
tion of  the  Society  in  New  England  Yearly  Meeting,  particu- 
larly their  treatment  of  John  Wilbur.  Sometimes  I  would  say 
to  myself,  am  I  deceived,  or  am  I  not  ?  They  do  not  tell  me 
much  about  it,  but  I  cannot  get  rid  of  the  impression  that  he 
has  been,  not  only  a  sufferer,  but  a  deeply  injured  man,  and 


JOSEPH   HQAG.  375 

that  by  false  brethren.  If  so,  will  not  one  be  raised  up  to  plead 
his  cause,  or  defend  him  in  this  day  of  trial  2 " 

The  following  information  is  obtained  from  the  records  of 
Ferrisburg  Monthly  Meeting. 

*'0n  the  26tli  of  2d  month,  1845,  our  aged  Friend  Joseph 
Hoag,  obtained  a  minute  to  perform  a  religious  visit  to  Friends 
and  others,  in  the  western  and  northern  parts  of  Ferrisburg 
Quarterly  Meeting ;  which  he  accomplished  in  the  6th  and  7th 
months  following. 

He  also  obtained  a  minute  on  the  1st  of  10th  month,  1845, 
to  pay  a  religious  visit  in  some  places  in  the  compass  of  Sara- 
toga Quarterly  Meeting;  which  it  appears  he  was  enabled 
mostly  to  perform. 

These  appear  to  be  his  last  religious  visits  with  minutes.  He 
attended  New  York  Yearly  Meeting,  in  1846. 

9th  MONTH,  6th,  1846. 

It  is  with  painful  feelings  that  I  believe  it  is  encumbent  on 
me  to  cause  to  be  placed  on  paper  a  pretty  full  and  explicit  ac- 
count of  some  conversation  of  mine,  which  took  place  at  New 
York,  in  the  time  of  our  last  Yearly  Meeting,  in  consequence  of 
reports  getting  into  extensive  circulation,  very  different  from 
my  understanding,  or  my  intention  to  convey ;  I  have  there- 
fore requested  Amos  Battey,  to  act  as  scribe  for  me. 

I  put  up  at  Mahlon  Day's,  where -,  an  aged  Friend 

— who  had  long  been  in  good  standing  as  a  member  of  our  So- 
ciety, but  had  latterly  taken  a  decided  stand  with  the  larger 
body  in  New  England — also  put  up,  who  showed  great  respect 
for  me.  Conversation  by  different  persons  was  often  started,  as 
I  thought,  to  get  my  sentiments  in  regard  to  the  present  exist- 
ing troubles  in  our  Society ;  and  when  pressed  pretty  close,  I 
generally  answered  [in  this  way :  I  think  I  see  an  unhallowed 
fire  on  both  sides,  and  it  all  comes  out  of  one  focus.  By  this 
unhallowed  fire,  I  meant  the  heat  I  discovered  in  different  in- 
dividuals on  both  sides,  in  conversing  oi^the  subjects.  And  I 
said,  if  you  will  quarrel  and  divide,  I  do  not  see  but  I  shall  be 


376  JOURNAL    OF 

left  alone,  for  I  have  no  unity  with  these  fires  that  all  come  out 
of  one  focus ;  for  I  did  not  come  here  to  be  busied  about  the 
concerns  of  another  country,  and  another  Yearly  Meeting,  out 
of  doors,  where  they  cannot  decide  or  settle  anything,  but  get 
into  a  heat,  and  sometimes  censure ;  if  this  is  not  a  strange 
fire,  I  do  not  know  what  to  call  it.  I  said  this  to  show  them 
my  views,  for  I  am  not  a  party  man,  but  one  who  wishes  to 
stand  firm  to  the  ancient  principles,  as  held  by  our  early 
Friends. 

But  to  proceed.     I  was  much  noticed  by .     I  had 

considerable  conversation,  in  which  I  brought  to  view  a  num- 
ber of  events,  which  had  taken  place  since  the  first  gathering 
of  our  Society,  in  which  there  had  been  a  defect,  not  only  in 
regard  to  the  right  and  faithful  support  of  the  discipline,  but 

also  in  regard  to  doctrine.     I  told ,  I  had  never  altered  my 

sentiments  that  I  was  sensible  of,  one  hair's  breadth,  through 
all  the  Hicksite  concern,  nor  in  this ;  for  when  I  was  fully  con- 
vinced of  our  ancient  principles,  I  was  as  fully  convinced  of  the 
propriety  and  right  of  our  discipline,  and  Church  government 

of    our   forefathers. with   a   smile,   answered,  "  I  never 

thought  thou,  had."     By  this  time,  all  were  gone  out  of  the 

room  but ,  and  myself,  and  I  supposed   out   of  hearing. 

We  both  sat  silent  awhile.  It  was  in  my  mind,  to  teli  him 
what  I  saw  in  the  meeting  on  second  day  afternoon.  I  sat  and 
mused,  until  much  of  its  lively  feeling  was  lost.  This  made  me 
think  more  seriously,  and  it  returned  with  equal  clearness.  I 
still  mused,  until  it  seemed  to  me  like  the  blaze  of  a  candle 
nearly  gone  out,  and  I  felt  not  as  I  wanted  to.     I  began  to 

think  I  almost  wished  I  had  let have  it,  but  it  came  again 

with  increased  clearness.  I  turned  to  him  and  said,  "  I  have  a 
mind  to  tell  thee,  what  appeared  to  me  as  I  sat  in  meeting." 
He  said,  "  I  am  willing  to  hear  it."  I  then  said,  "It  opened 
to  me  in  the  clearness,  that  many  of  the  leaders  of  our  Society, 
(meaning  our  Yearly  Meeting  as  then  being  held)  were  in  dan- 
ger of  running  into  ranterism,  and  not  know  it ;  and  it  would 
be  in  this  way;  in  speaking  to  business,  which  every   con- 


JOSEPH  HOAG.  3Y7 

Cerned  member  has  a  right  to  do,  and  to  give  their  reasons 
therefor,  if  need  requires ;  but  there  is  a  class  that  will  do  all 
this,  and  then  take  up  more  time  in  preaching  in  favor  of  their 
sentiments,  and  sometimes  double  the  time.  The  Ministry  is 
a  pure  gift,  and  ought  not  to  be  mixed  with  other  matters. 
Elias  Hicks  practiced  in  that  way  for  many  years,  and  see  what 
he  came  to ;  and  several  others  in  my  day  have  very  much  run 
down,  and  some  entirely  out.  Alter  informing  him,  that  I 
told  him  this  for  him  to  remember,  for  I  thought  I  should  not 
live  to  see  the  effects  that  would  follow,  in  consequence  of  that 
spirit  spreading,  but  L  thought  he  would ;  here  the  discourse 
stopped  for  that  time. 

In  the  course  of  the  next  day  I  was  sitting  alone ;  

came  and  sat  by  me,  and  in  the  appearance  of  much  solidity, 
said,  he  had  thought  much  of  our  conversation,  that  we  had  the 
day  previous.  He  proposed  for  me  to  read  and  sign  a  paper, 
which  he  had  written  on  the  subject.  I  declined,  as  I  could 
not  well  read  strange  hand-writing,  and  my  hand  trembled  so, 
that  I  had  not  pretended  to  write  in  some  time.  He 
then  read  it  to  me.  He  had  got  a  long  preface  to  it, 
so  that  I  concluded  I  should  not  put  my  hand  to  it.  I 
made  no  remark  to  him,  but  I  thought  he  seemed  unwilling  to 
give  it  up ;  yet  all  the  time  he  carried  the  idea  that  the  sub- 
ject had  so  impressed  his  mind  that  he  felt  most  easy  to  write 
it,  to  lay  by  and  keep,  as  a  testimony,  to  have  recourse  to  in  a 
future  day.  I  had  no  thought  that  he  had  any  other  object  in 
view,  and  I  consented  for  him  to  put  my  name  to  what  I  had 
said,  which  he  had  asked  the  privilege  of;  but  in  looking  it 

over,  I  grew  uneasy   and  took aside,  and  told  him  in 

substance,  that  if  he  kept  that  paper,  he  must  draft  it  off;  and 
the  preface  that  he  had  written,  put  at  the  head  of  the  sheet, 
and  strike  a  black  mark  across  the  sheet  and  put  his  own  name 
to  it  as  the  author ;  then  under  it  thou  mayest  write  what  I  said 
on  the  subject,  but  put  it  in  the  same  words  as  near  as  thou  pos- 
sibly canst,  and  to  that  thou  mayest  put  my  name,  and  under  my 
name  I  want  thee  to  put  a  note,  that  I  also  observed,  that  there  is 
24 


378  JOURNAL   OJ- 

a  class  that  would  be  careful,  neither  to  meddle,  fior  move,  only 
as  they  see  in  the  clear  light  of  the  Lord,  was  required  by 
Him ;  and  when  they  had  done  their  duty,  leave  it  all  to  the 
Lord,  keeping  their  eye  single  to  Him,  and  no  where  else. 
These  will  be  preserved  to  the  end,  for  He  always  had  a  people 
and  always  will ;  and  it  is  this  class  only  that  the  Lord  always 
owned  and  kept,  and  always  will,  while  He  remains  to  be  an 
unchangeable  God. 

After    this  I  turned  to ,  and    told  him,  "I  see    my 

mental  faculties  are  failing,  and  should  I  be  drawn  off  from  the 
Truth,  as  Hugh  Judge  was,  and  thus  bring  a  reproach  upon 
the  Truth,  then  let  this  all  be  put  in  oblivion,  that  it  never  be 
known  that  such  a  writing  ever  was ; "  which  he  appeared  to 
assent  to  cheerfiilly.  Joseph  Hoag. 

Neither  had  he  assented  to  any  writing  understandingly, 
which  might  carry  a  different  meaning  to  the  foregoing.  And 
as  he  wished  us  to  be  witnesses,  we  have  hereunto  set  our 
hands. 

Ruth  Battey,  William  C.  Battey, 

Lydia  Worth,  Louisa  Battey, 

Nicholas  Battey,  Thankful  Battey. 


As  the  subjects  alluded  to  in  the  following  vision,  are  of  gen- 
eral interest,  and  much  expression  having  been  given  in  favor 
of  its  being  appended  to  this  journal,  it  is  concluded  to  do  so : 

"  In  the  year  1803,  probably  in  the  eighth  or  ninth  month,  I 
was  one  day  alone  in  the  fields,  and  observed  that  the  sun 
shone  clear,  but  that  a  mist  eclipsed  the  brightness  of  its  shi- 
ning. 

As  I  peflected  upon  the  singularity  of  the  event,  my  mind 
was  struck  into  a  silence,  the  most  solemn  I  ever  remember  to 
have  witnessed,  for  it  seemed  as  if  all  my  faculties  were  laid 
low,  and  unusually  brought  into  deep  silence.  I  said  to  my- 
self, *  what  can  all  this  mean  1  I  do  not  recollect  ever  before 
to  have  been  sensible  of  such  feelings.'  And  I  heard  a  voice 
from  hfeaven  say,  *  This  that  thou  seest,  which  dims  the  bright^ 


JOSEPH  HOAO.  379 

Mess  of  the  sun,  is  a  sign  of  the  present  and  coming  times.  I 
took  the  forefathers  of  this  country  from  a  land  of  oppression ; 
I  planted  them  here  among  the  people  of  the  forest.  I  sus- 
tained them,  and  while  they  were  humble,  I  blessed  them 
and  fed  them,  and  they  became  a  numerous  people :  but 
they  have  now  become  proud  and  lifted  up,  and  have  for- 
gotten Me,  who  nourished  and  protected  them  in  the  wilder- 
ness, and  are  running  into  every  abomination  and  evil  practice 
of  which  the  old  countries  are  guilty  ;  and  I  have  taken  quie- 
tude from  the  land,  and  suffered  a  dividing  spirit  to  come 
among  them.  Lift  up  thine  eyes  and  behold,'  And  I  saw 
them  dividing  in  great  heat.  This  division  began  in  the  Church 
upon  points  of  doctrine.  It  commenced  in  the  Presbyterian 
Society,  and  went  through  the  various  religious  denominations, 
and  in  its  progress  and  close,  the  effect  was  nearly  the  same ; 
those  who  dissented,  went  off  with  high  heads  and  taunting 
language ;  and  those  who  kept  to  their  organized  sentiments, 
appeared  exercised  and  sorrowful.  And  when  this  dividing 
spirit  entered  the  Society  of  Friends,  it  raged  in  as  high  a  de- 
gree as  any  I  had  before  discovered,  and  as  before,  those  who 
separated,  went  with  lofty  looks  and  taunting,  censuring  lan- 
guage ;  those  who  kept  to  their  ancient  principles,  retired  by 
themselves. 

It  next  appeared  in  the  Lodges  of  the  Free  Masons,  and  it 
broke  out  in  appearance  like  a  volcano,  inasmuch  as  it  set  the 
country  in  an  uproar  for  a  length  of  time.  Then  it  entered 
politics  throughout  the  United  States,  and  did  not  stop,  until 
it  produced  a  civil  war,  and  an  abundance  of  human  blood  was 
shed  in  the  course  of  the  combat.  The  Southern  States  lost  their 
power,  and  Slavery  was  annihilated  from  their  borders.  Then 
a  Monarchical  power  arose — took  the  Government  of  the  States 
— established  a  national  religion,  and  made  all  Societies  tribu- 
tary to  support  its  expenses.  I  saw  them  take  property  from 
Friends  to  a  large  amount.  I  was  amazed  at  beholding  all 
this,  and  heard  a  voice  proclaim,  '  this  Power  shall  not  always 
stand,  but  with  this  Power  I  will  chastise  my  Church  until  they 


380  JOURNAL   OF 

return  to  the  faithfulness  of  their  forefathers.  Thou  seest  what 
is  coming  on  thy  native  land  for  their  iniquity,  and  the  blood 
of  Africa ;  the  remembrance  of  which  has  come  up  before  me. 
This  Vision  is  yet  for  many  days." 

I  had  no  idea  of  writing  it  down  for  many  years,  until  it  be- 
came such  a  burden,  that  for  my  own  relief  I  have  written  it. 

Joseph  Hoag." 


A    TESTIMONY 

OF  STARKSBORO     MONTHLY    MESTIwa   OF  FRIENDS,   CONCERNING 
OUR  BELOVED  FRIEND, 
JOSEPH     HOAG,    DECEASED. 


The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  the  eldest  child  of  Elijah 
and  Phebe  Hoag,  and  was  born  the  22d  of  4th  month,  1T62. 
He  very  early  in  life  manifested  an  inclination  to  sobriety,  and 
the  steady  attendance  of  religious  meetings ;  often  feeling  his 
mind  tendered  and  his  understanding  enlarged,  he  became  de- 
sirous of  living  an  upright  and  holy  life  ;  yet  being  of  a  quick 
and  unstable  disposition,  he  often  fell  short  of  the  fulfillment 
of  those  good  resolutions,  and  the  convictions  he  felt  for  these, 
his  short  comings,  at  times  caused  him  to  weep,  and  promise 
amendment  of  life ;  thus  several  of  his  juvenile  years    were 


At  intervals  he  was  in  an  uncommon  degree  permitted  to 
partake  of  the  incomes  of  heavenly  intelligence,  which  unfolded 
to  his  mind  things  of  a  deep  spiritual  nature.  It  was  an 
early  period  when  he  witnessed  a  clear  evidence  that  he  should 
be  called  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  was  shown  the  re- 
gions of  misery  and  woe,  with  people  traveling  thither ;  the 
awfulness  of  this  view  caused  him  for  a  time  to  refrain  from 
wrong  habits ;  he  was  also  permitted  to  have  a  view  of  the  heav- 
enly host,  with  a  warning  to  repent,  yet  after  these  clear  open- 
ings, when  the  time  arrived  for  him  to  engage  in  the  service 
pointed  out  by  his  Divine  Master,  he  was  unfaithful  and  diso- 


382  TESTIMONY. 

bedient ;  soon  the  tendering  influences  of  heavenly  goodness 
became  much  elffaced,  his  mind  alienated  from  the  source  of 
all  good,  and  by  listening  to  the  insinuations  of  the  enemy  of 
man's  happiness,  he  was  left  to  doubt  the  truths  of  the  Gospel, 
and  embrace  infidelity ;  while  thus  wandering  from  the  fold  of 
Christ,  it  pleased  his  Heavenly  Father,  in  mercy  to  send  a 
faithful  servant,  who  was  enabled  to  open  unto  him  his  condi- 
tion and  the  doubts  of  his  mind,  closing  his  testimony  in  this 
moving  language  :  "7%a«  Jesus  whom  thou  hast  denied,  hath 
opened  unto  me  thy  state  and  condition."  This  so  wrought 
upon  his  mind  that  he  became  penitent  even  unto  tears. 

The  enemy  then  endeavored  to  make  him  believe  that  he 
never  should  arrive  at  a  state  of  acceptance,  tempting  him  to 
give  up  all  hope.  His  afflictions  under  these  besetments  were 
great  for  some  time,  when  the  same  minister  was  qualified  to 
show  him  that  this  also  was  the  work  of  the  enemy,  with  more 
of  a  comfortmg  nature.  Being  thus  again  encouraged,  he  re- 
signed himself  to  the  disposal  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church, 
and  came  forward  in  his  first  appearance  in  the  ministry  not 
far  from  his  eighteenth  year,  to  the  peace  of  his  hitherto  op- 
pressed and  afflicted  soul. 

For  this  change  in  his  manner  of  life,  he  had  much  to  en- 
dure from  his  former  associates  in  folly,  and  found  it  necessary 
for  him  to  withdraw  from  their  company. 

The  enemy  still  continued  to  follow  him  with  his  insinua- 
tions, endeavoring  to  make  him  believe  that  the  continued  calls 
to  come  forward  in  the  ministry  were  not  from  the  right  source  ; 
in  this  season  of  conflict  and  trial,  he  covenanted  with  the 
Lord,  if  he  would  send  a  servant  unacquainted  with  his  condi- 
tion, to  tell  him  he  was  rightly  called,  he  would  endeavor  to  be 
faithful.  The  Lord  condescended  to  answer  his  desire,  delega- 
ting one  of  his  servants  to  inform  him  that  his  call  was  right, 
and  to  speak  comfortably  to  him,  encouraging  him  to  faithful- 
ness. Yet  after  having  his  request  thus  granted,  he  still  hesi- 
tated, greatly  abhorring  a  false  ministry,  and  desired  that  his 
life  might  be  taken  as  an  acceptable  sacrifice  in  lieu  of  the  ser- 


TESTIMONY.  383 

vice.  The  Lord  showed  him  that  no  other  sacrifice  except  that 
of  His  own  appointment  would  be  acceptable,  and  that  he  had 
not  kept  his  covenant  after  the  desired  confirmation  had  been 
granted.  Being  sensible  of  his  disobedience,  he  once  more  re- 
solved to  serve  the  Lord  faithfully,  and  henceforward  his  ap- 
pearances in  the  ministry  were  more  often ;  this  was  near  his 
nineteenth  year. 

In  the  fell  of  1782  he  was  married  to  Huldah  Case  (who 
had  also  acceptably  appeared  in  the  ministry.)  Although  their 
circumstances  were  rather  limited,  he  gave  up  to  apprehended 
duty,  visiting  in  the  love  of  the  Gospel  the  neighboring  meet- 
ings, and  at  times  some  more  remote  ;  these  little  services  were 
acceptable  to  his  friends,  and  they  officially  approved  of  his 
ministry  about  five  years  from  his  first  appearance. 

In  1789  or  90,  with  the  approbation  of  his  friends,  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  from  his  native  place  (Dutchess  County, 
N.  Y.,)  and  settled  in  Charlotte,  Vermont,  then  a  new  country, 
where  there  were  but  few  Friends,  and  they  remotely  situated. 
Here  he  continued  to  reside  the  rest  of  his  days.  In  his  new 
location  he  felt  drawn  forth  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  hold- 
ing religious  meetings  in  many  places ;  thus  was  he  made  an 
instrument  in  the  Lord's  hand  in  gathering  people  to  the  Truth, 
so  that  in  process  of  time,  with  the  increase  of  Friends  from 
other  places,  several  meetings  were  established  in  those  parts, 
in  which  he  continued  to  labor,  under  the  pointings  of  Truth, 
as  a  faithful  watchman,  through  his  long  and  useful  life,  to  the 
edification  of  many.  Neither  were  his  labors  in  Truth's  ser- 
vice confined  to  these,  but  several  times  he  traveled  more  ex- 
tensively, and  on  the  5th  of  1st  month,  1801,  left  his  own  hab- 
itation to  perform  a  religious  visit  through  New  England  Year- 
ly  Meeting,  extending  it  to  Nova  Scotia  and  other  British 
Provinces  ;  having  to  travel  some  parts  of  this  lengthy  journey 
two  or  three  times  over,  it  occupied  upward  of  one  and  a  half 
years  in  the  prime  of  life. 

For  several  years  after  his  return,  being  often  out  of  health, 
he  traveled  but  little,  and  that  within  his  own  Yearjy  Meeting, 


384  TESTIMONY. 

although  it  appears  he  spent  considerable  time  in  labors  of  love 
between  that  time  and  the  year  1812  ;  and  again  in  1816,  he 
visited  nearly  all  the  meetings  of  Friends  in  Pennsylvania,  Ma- 
ryland, Virginia,  North  and  South  Carolina,  and  some  parts  of 
Tennessee,  appointing  some  meetings  amongst  those  not  of  our 
Society.  In  the  two  last  visits  he  spent  about  twenty-eight 
months ;  many  and  deep  were  his  baptisms,  increased  in  con- 
sequence of  that  system  of  oppression  which  prevails  in  the 
southern  portion  of  these  United  States.  Yet  endeavoring  to 
follow  the  pointings  of  his  Heavenly  Leader,  he  experienced 
many  preservations,  and  the  incomes  of  sweet  peace  to  bis 
mind.  After  this  he  performed  a  visit  of  five  months  within 
his  own  Yearly  Meeting,  and  on  the  6th  of  11th  month,  1823, 
he  left  home  to  visit  the  northern  and  western  part  of  New 
York,  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  some  parts  of  North  Carolina,  Yearly 
Meetings.  In  this,  as  in  several  previous  similar  engagements, 
ho  felt  constrained  to  travel  some  parts  over  the  second  time. 
Humbling  as  these  requirements  were,  they  afforded  the  re- 
ward of  peace ;  7,600  miles  were  traveled  in  a  few  days  short 
of  21  months. 

Previous  to  the  separation  which  took  place  in  1828,  his 
spirit  was  often  brought  into  deep  religious  exercise,  in  behold- 
ing the  introduction  of  a  spirit  of  disbelief  and  misrule,  and  the 
inroads  that  were  being  made  in  the  Society,  through  the  in- 
fluence of  an  unsound  ministry.  He  as  a  faithful  watchman 
upon  the  walls  of  Zion,  gave  warning  of  the  approaching  dan- 
ger, and  took  an  early  opportunity  with  the  principal  leader  in 
the  defection,  pointing  out  to  him  the  unsoundness  of  his  min^ 
istry,  and  the  tendency  of  his  course  to  spread  disaifection  in 
the  Society ;  nor  did  he  rest  satisfied  without  extending  his  la- 
bors to  others,  boldly  maintaining  the  testimonies  of  Truth. 
For  his  faithful  adherence  to  the  ancient  principles  and  order  of 
Society,  he  endured  much  contumely  and  scorn.  Being  one 
of  the  committee  to  assist  subordinate  meetings  in  their  tried 
situation  after  the  separation,  his  time  was  much  taken  up  ^^ 
that  service  the  remainder  of  the  year. 


TESTIMONY.  385 

The  following  year  he  performed  a  general  visit  through  the 
southern  part  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  has  since  acknowl- 
edged that  he  had  not  at  any  time  of  life  witnessed  more  of 
the  overshadowing  influence  of  heavenly  help. 

In  his  70th  year  he  felt  drawn  to  make  a  general  visit 
through  New  England  Yearly  Meeting,  and  left  home  for  that 
purpose  in  5th  month,  1831,  returning  in  about  ten  months. 
It  appears  that  this  journey  was  attended  with  many  deep  bap- 
tisms of  spirit ;  being  shown  the  situation  of  society  in  those 
parts  as  he  traveled  from  place' to  place,  he  discovered  writings 
in  circulation  containing  sentiments  at  variance  with  the  estab- 
lished doctrines  of  our  religious  Society.  After  leaving  the 
southern  part  of  that  Yearly  Meeting  he  believed  it  required  of 
him  to  return  to  Providence  and  labor  with  one  in  high  stand- 
ing, who  was  endeavoring  to  produce  a  change  in  the  manner 
of  doing  much  of  the  business  of  that  meeting,  insinuating  that 
it  could  be  better  done  by  a  committee  empowered  with  au- 
thority than  by  the  meeting  itself.  "I  labored  faithfully,"  says 
he,  "with  the  individual,  to  convince  him  of  the  bad  consequen- 
ces of  such  a  course,  and  that  it  would  eventually  scatter  and 
divide  Society."  He  also  labored  in  public  and  private  to  con- 
vince Friends  of  the  impropriety  of  suffering  those  unsound 
writings  to  be  spread  amongst  them,  expressing  that  if  they 
were  circulated  within  the  compass  of  that  meeting  they  would 
produce  a  schism.  Thus  we  find  this  servant  of  the  Lord  at  an 
early  period,  contending  against  those  doctrinal  innovations, 
which  have  since  those  days  extended  through  most  places  in 
Society,  laying  waste  its  principles  and  changing  its  order. 

After  this  he  was  favored,  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  Friends, 
and  we  doubt  not  to  the  peace  of  his  own  mind,  to  perform 
quite  lengthy  visits,  one  in  1832,  and  one  in  1840  and  '41 ;  and 
again  in  9th  month,  1842,  in  his  81st  year,  under  the  infirmi- 
ties of  age,  he  left  home,  visiting  most  of  the  meetings  in  Indi- 
ana Yearly  Meeting,  extending  his  visit  to  Iowa.  Whilst  out 
on  religious  visits,  especially  in  his  advanced  age^  he  was  seve- 
ral times  reduced  to  so  low  a  state  of  health  that  doubts  were 


386  TESTIMONY. 

entertained  of  his  recovery,  and  in  the  last  visit,  having  return- 
ed to  Greenwich,  Ohio,  (in  the  summer  of  1843)  thinking  to 
embark  for  his  own  residence,  although  he  expressed  to  the 
Friends  where  he  was  staying,  that  there  was  a  cloud  before 
him,  he  was  suddenly  taken  ill  and  confined  for  some  time,  not 
able  to  rest  on  a  bed  for  more  than  two  weeks.  Upon  his  re- 
covery, he  found  it  required  of  him  to  return,  and  assist  an  op- 
pressed remnant  in  a  certain  Monthly  Meeting;  this  service 
being  performed,  he  returned  to  the  same  Friend's  house,  and 
appeared  cheerful,  expressing  his  belief  that  his  work  was  near- 
ly done.  He  performed  but  few,  and  these  but  short,  visits  af- 
ter his  return.  During  the  aforesaid  confinement  in  Ohio,  he 
manifested  deep  anxiety,  not  only  for  some  of  his  own  family, 
then  in  high  standing,  but  for  the  Society  at  large,  under  the 
conviction  that  there  was  a  more  trying  time  coming  than 
Friends  had  before  known,  expressing  his  belief  that  many 
stars — ^yea,  many  that  had  been  bright  stars,  would  be  drawn 
to  the  earth,  through  the  transformings  of  the  evil  one,  yet  he 
was  decided  in  the  belief  that  a  remnant  would  be  preserved. 

Inasmuch  as  we  have  oft-times  been  favored  with  the  pleas- 
ant company,  the  cheerful  conversation,  and  the  deep  search- 
ing ministry  of  our  worthy  Friend,  we  are  concerned  to  give 
forth  this  testimony  respecting  him,  although  he  was  not  a 
member  of  this  meeting. 

Being  a  man  of  good  understanding,  and  having  a  retentive 
memory,  and  a  mind  seasoned  with  grace,  his  conversation  was 
truly  instructive,  and  his  services  for  the  maintenance  of  good  or- 
der in  the  Society,  were  very  useful.  As  an  experienced  father 
in  the  Church,  he  was  tender  and  affectionate  to  the  young  and 
inexperienced,  watching  over  them  for  their  good,  with  desires 
that  they  might  be  gathered  into  the  fold  of  Christ,  and  under 
the  teachings  of  His  Spirit  come  to  a  full  understanding  of  that 
which  pertains  to  their  growth  in  grace  and  the  saving  knowl- 
edge of  Jesus  Christ.  But  to  those  who  were  disposed  to 
slight  the  counsel  of  their  Friends,  reject  the  witness  for  truth 
in  their  own  breasts,  and  to  set  at  naught  or  trample  under 


TESTIMONY.  38*7 

foot  the  order  of  society,  he  was  clothed  with  the  spirit  of 
judgment,  and  authority  to  place  it  upon  them. 

But  perhaps  of  all  the  qualifications  with  which  a  wise  Prov- 
idence had  endowed  him,  he  appeared  most  conspicuous  in  the 
gift  of  the  ministry  and  the  spirit  of  prophecy.  Often  was  he 
qualified  to  enter  with  great  clearness  into  the  state  of  individ- 
uals and  meetings.  We  are  able  to  call  to  memory  certain  oc- 
casions, when,  in  obedience  to  his  Heavenly  Leader,  he  came 
amongst  us,  and  in  the  authority  of  the  Gospel  disclosed  things 
known  to  but  very  few  ;  and  divers  are  the  occurrences,  when 
in  the  vision  of  light,  he  was  led  to  announce  the  near  approach 
of  death,  in  some  instances  that  it  would  be  sudden — no  time 
given  on  a  bed  of  languishing. 

Many  among  us  can  recur  to  testimonies  delivered  by  him, 
wherein  he  was  permitted  to  see,  yea,  rather  was  shown  and 
was  authorized  to  depict  with  much  clearness,  what  would  take 
place  in  the  Society.  At  one  time  (about  the  year  1838)  he 
expressed  that  a  separation  on  account  of  doctrine  would  take 
place  in  that  meeting,  (Ferrisburg  Quarter)  and  feeling  full 
confidence  in  the  opening,  in  the  authority  of  Truth,  remarked, 
"Friends,  you  may  pencil  it  down  if  you  please."  The  falfill- 
ment  of  these  predictions  is  an  evidence  that  his  authority  was 
from  Him  who  knoweth  all  things,  and  can  see  the  end  from 
the  beginning.  Neither  did  he  expect  that  these  troubles  in 
Society  would  be  confined  to  a  small  place,  for  he  as  a  faithful 
shepherd  had  watched  with  sorrow  the  diff'asion  of  sentiments, 
inimical  to  the  principles  of  Friends,  the  effect  of  which  would 
be  to  produce  discord  and  disruption  in  many  parts  of  the  So- 
ciety. He  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  1845,  and  again  in 
1846,  both  of  which  were  to  his  experienced  mind  seasons  of 
deep  exercise,  under  the  belief  that  things  were  carried  in  a 
wrong  channel,  although  unable  to  hear  what  was  said.  Truly 
his  spiritual  vision  was  yet  clear,  and  that  ear,  long  acquainted 
with  the  voice  of  the  True  Shepherd,  was  open  to  His  teach- 
ings. 

He  believed  it  right  to  keep,  by  writing,  some  account  of  the 


388  TESTIMONY. 

religious  services  and  exercises  that  he  from  time  to  time  had 
passed  through  in  his  pilgrimage,  but  from  negligence  or  the 
infirmities  of  age,  it  was  with  great  difficulty  he  could  use  the 
pen  ;  and  he  had  omitted,  for  some  years,  to  continue  the  ac- 
count. 

Feeling  uneasy  in  regard  to  these  omissions,  he,  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  his  wife,  in  the  summer  of  1845,  brought  his  writings 
within  the  limits  of  this  meeting,  for  assistance  in  taking  down 
additional  accounts  and  the  regulation  of  some  partially  done, 
and  feeling  easy  with  their  present  location,  he  placed  them 
the  following  winter,  by  writing,  in  the  hands  of  two  of  our 
members  with  instructions  not  to  suff^  them,  after  his  decease, 
to  fall  into  the  hands  of  any  who  wotilMeslroy  or  cause  them 
to  pass  into  oblivion,  or  into  the  hands  of  any  persons  who  have 
supported,  or  who  may  support  either  Elias  Hicks  or  Joseph 
John  Gurney,  or  advocate  either  of  their  peculiar  tenets,  feeling 
an  assurance  that  some  parts  of  them  are  in  opposition  to  the 
doctrines  propogated  by  the  former,  and  many  of  those  writ- 
ten by  the  latter.  He  farther  requested  that  if  it  became  nec- 
essary, by  reason  of  death  or  otherwise,  to  place  them  with 
some  other  person,  that  those  who  witnessed  "this  procedure" 
the  survivor  or  survivors  of  them,  should  place  them  in  the 
hands  of  some  sound,  substantial  Friend  or  Friends. 

His  remained  to  be  a  tribulated  path  ;  he  was  censured  for 
his  faithful  opposition  to  those  unsound  views,  and  the  misrule 
in  support  of  them  which  were  agitating  Society  on  the  one 
hand,  and  on  the  other  frequent  were  the  reports  that  he  had 
changed  his  views  respecting  them ;  on  being  informed  of  the 
latter,  he  requested  that  when  such  statements  were  made,  they 
might  be  contradicted  on  his  behalf;  at  onetime  when  inform- 
ed of  these  reports  being  much  spread  abroad,  he  showed  deep 
regret  that  such  efforts  should  be  used  to  make  him  appear  dif- 
ferent from  what  he  was,  and  wept  at  the   injustice  done  him. 

The  last  time  he  attended  this  meeting  was  about  the  1st  of 
0th  month,  1846.  Having  endeavored  to  place  on  paper  some 
statementstoleaveasa  testimony  in  refutation  of  the  many  incor- 


TESTIMONY.  ^  380 

rect  reports  relative  to  a  change  in  his  views  in  regard  to  what 
was  transpiring  in  Society,  he  came  amongst  us  to  obtain  some 
assistance,  that  they  might  appear  more  legible  than  he  could 
make  them.  This  being  accomplished,  he  expressed  that  he 
now  felt  satisfied  with  his  writings,  and  easy  to  leave  them,  and 
soon  returned  to  his  own  habitation,  and  finished  his  course  on 
the  2 1st  of  1 1th  month  following,  in  his  85th  year.  During  hia 
last  illness,  of  about  five  weeks  continuance,  he  conversed  but 
little,  though  at  times  observations  dropped  from  his  lips  deep- 
ly instructive.  A  few  days  before  his  close,  he  took  an  afiec- 
tionate  leave  of  his  wife  and  other  relatives  present. 

From  the  knowledge  we  have  of  this  dear  Friend  and  the 
course  he  pursued.  Me  feel  safe  in  asserting  that  through  the 
different  changes  anj  trials  which  have  befallen  our  religious 
Society  in  his  fbie,  he  adhered  to  its  ancient  doctrines,  and  was 
opposed  to  all  and  every  innovation  upon  them.  Truly  it  may 
be  said,  he  "fought  the  good  fight,  he  kept  the  faith,"  and  hav- 
ing finished  his  course,  has  doubtless  received  a  crown  of  glory 
that  fadeth  not  away. 

Signed  on  behalf  of  Starksboro  Monthly  Meeting,  held  the 
4th  of  3d  month,  1853.  James  Harkness,  )  fjigj.;u.g 

Susannah  Hoag,  ) 

The  foregoing  Memorial,  from  Starksboro  Monthly  Meeting, 
concerning  our  beloved  Friend,  Joseph  Hoag,  deceased,  was 
read  in  this  meeting,  and  after  mature  deliberation  was  approv- 
ed and  directed  to  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  having  the  wo- 
men's concurrence  therein. 

Signed  by  direction  of  Ferrisburg  Quarterly  Meeting  of 
Friends,  held  at  Starksboro  the  5th  of  5th  month,  1853, 

by  Amos  Battey,  Clerk. 


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